The history of the state and sufferings of the Church of Scotland, from the restoration to the revolution : with an introduction containing the most remarkable occurrences relating to that church from the Reformation to the restoration

/

PRINCETON, N. J.

w/^4^./.<f4^*j^->

H^ ! ' /BX- :^a^i ^:^QhnM/zi V . 1

^\ Crookshank, William.

The history of the state anc
sufferings of the Church o:l

SAei/. I

Jo

THE

HISTORY

OF THE

S>tatc anD bufferings

OF THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,

FROM THE

RESTORATION

TO THE

REVOLUTION.

WITH AN

INTRODUCTION,

CONTAINING THE MOST REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES RE-
LATING TO THAT CHURCH, FROM THE RE-
FORMATION TO THE RESTORATION.

BY WILLIAM CROOKSHANK, A. M.

LATE UINISTER OF THE SCOTS CONGREGATIOK IN SWALLOW STRUT,

WESTMINSTER.

M Ctoo ^olumeief.

VOL. I.

€tiint)urgl) :

PRINTED BY THOMAS TURNEULL,

OLD ASSEMBLY CLOSE.

1812.

rfiKU^fc^'# t-^

y^r

CONTENTS
OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Dedication - - -P^J"^ 1

Preface , - - 6

Introductio;i - , _ 13

CHAP. I.

Of the apprehending of the Marquis of Argyle : the proceedingi
of the Committee of estates ; the supplication of the Ministers^
and their imprisonment^ and the sufferings of others^ to the end
of the year 1C60 . - - &5

CHAP. n.

Of the Acts of the first session of Parliament ; the conduct of the
Church -judicatures ; the sufferings of the Marqiiis of Argyle^
Mr James Guthrie^ and several others - _ 73

CHAP. HI.

Of the proceedings of the Council and the regal erection of Prela-
cy^ together with the sufferings of Gentlemen and Ministers
during the rest of the year - - joS

CHAP. IV.

Of the discharging of Chirchfvdicatures^ the Consecration of
the Bihops^ the Acts of the Parliament^ and the proceedings of
the Coimcil^ particularly the Act of Glasgow, and other thi?jgs
iluring this year, 1662 - _ 215

CHAP. V.

Of the dismal effects of the ejection of near 400 Ministers. Of
the Acts and Proceedings of the Council and Paj-liament, the
execution of Lord Waristoun, and the suffcririgs of othe>>5 durifi'-^
the year 1663 - - 13j

CHAP. VI.

Of the erection and proceedings of the High-ccmmissiofi, and tie
Acts of Council, together with the State and Sufferings of the
Presbyten'a?is till the year ItCL) * . I45

VI CONTENTS.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Occurrences preceding the rising at Pentland^ of the rising
itself the executions and other consequences of it^ together with
several other transactions during the j/ear 1666 • - 169

CHAP. VIII.

Of the cruelties of Dalziel^ ^j?r. The forfeitures of Gentlemen^
'i^c. The disbanding of the Army^ and the bond cf Peace.— ^
Mr MitchePs attempt on Archbishop Sharps — the proceedings
of Parliament^ — the first Indulgence^ and other things to the
end of the year 1669 - - 204

CHAP. IX.

Of the Indulged^ the proceedings against Conventicles^ the actings
of the Western CornTnittee^ Leighton's acco?nmodation^ the Laws
and Acts of Parliament^ with an account of the second indul-
gence^ a?id other things, till the end of the' year 1673 241

CHAP. X.

Of the State and Sufferings of the Presbyterians during the year t
1674 and 1675 - - 283

CHAP. XL

Of Mr MitcheVs torture; the proceedings of the Council; the
circumstances of the Indulged ; the prosecutions for Conventi-
cle: ; the occasions of the Highland host, and other occurren-
ces to the end of the year 1611 - 307

CHAP. XII.
Of the trial and execution of Mr James Mitchel ; the proceedings
of the Council and Conimittee ; the bond of Conformity ; to-
gether with the ravages of the Highland host during the months
of January and February 161^ - 338

CHAP. XIII.

Of the Proceedings of the Council and their Conimittee after the
return of the Highland host ; the appointinent of Garrisons ;
the Convention of Estates ; the Cess ; the progress of the Per-
sccvtion, and other things to the end of the year 1678 355

CHAP. XIV. ,

Of the Prosecutions for Conventicles, and other branches of Non-
conformity, together with the violent death of the Archbishop of
St Andrews., till the rising at Bothwell - 382

T(^(the

RIGHT HONO tm-i^: B L E

ALEXANDER,'

EJRL OF LEVEN.

My Lord,

1" ESTEEM it no small honour tojiave your Lordship's coun-
tenance in the design of the following performance, and
permission to put the same under your patronage. I wish it
had been in my power to render it more worthy of your ap-
probation and acceptance : but as your Lordship is able to
spy out the failings in this work, so I doubt not of your can-
dour to throw a vail over them.

Had I been capable to present the world with a most exact,
impartial, and perfect history of the Church of Scotland, during
this period, I know none who had a juster claim to have it de-
dicated to them than your Lordship V for the great actions
and sufferings of your worthy progenitors, on account of the
protestant religion and liberties of mankind, are well known.

Sir Alexander Lcsly, from whom your Lordship is de-
scended in the maternal line, gained so much honour abroad,
that the great Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, promot-
ed him first to be lieutenant-general, and then field-marshai
of his armies. And when the Emperor had reduced all Ger-
many, except Stralsund, which was then invested by Count
Walstcin with a formidable and victorious army. General
Lcsly, to whom that heroic prince gave the command of the
place, obliged him to raise the siege, 1028 ; nnd, in the yeav

VOL. I. A

ii DEDICATION.

1630, drove the Imperialists out of the isle of Rugcn, and
tlicreby opened a way for Gustavus to march into Germajiy.

Having gained such laurels abroad, he returned to his na-
tive country, and was chosen general of the Scots army, whicli
was raised in defence of the covenanters, and the liberties of
his country, and, in 1641, was created Earl of Leven. His
jordship performed many signal services after this, too tedious
to be related here. This nobleman's grandson dying without
male-issue, and his grand-daughter marrying George Earl of
Melvil, the honours and estate of Leven came, in process of
lime, to David Melvil, Esq ; your Lordship's father.

And nothing is better known, than that the family of Mel-
vil, from which your Lordship is lineally descended, has been
remarkable, ever since the dawn of the Reformation, for an
uninterrupted and steady adherence to that glorious cause.

Your Lordship's grandfather, the said George Lord Mel-
vil, suffered not a little in the infamous period described in
the following work, so that he was obliged to flee over to Hol-
land for safety. But that great judge of men and things, the il-
lustrious Prince of Orange, had such a value for him, that
after the glorious Revolution, he appointed him to be his
High Commissioner to the Parliament, 1690, in which the
Confession of Faith was ratified, Presbyterian government
established, patronages were abolished, and the Church of
Scotland restored to the freedom of all her judicatories. This
noble peer enjoyed many other high offices under the crown j
he was not only made an Earl, but was successively sole secre-
tary of state for Scotland, Lord privy seal, and president of
the privy-council.

His son, David, your noble father, did great service in the
hai)})y deliverance brought about, under God, by the great
King '^\^illiam ; for, when he was abroad, he raised a regiment
of foot, and brought it over with that illustrious prince. He
likewise commanded those brave people who guarded the con-
\lention of estates, which was an assembly of patriots, whose
names will ever be dear to true protestants. During all the
reigii of King Williflm, and a great part of Queen Anne's,

DEDICATION. iii

kis Lorcl.'iliip was governor of the Castle of Edinburgh ; and
held likewise, under that princess, the offices of General of the
Ordnance for Scotland, and Commander-in-chief of all the for-
ces in that kingdom, till, towards the end of her reign, he was,
by the influence of her Tory ministry, removed from all pub-
lic employments : but his Lordship persevered in a steady at-
tachment to the interests of the present royal family, from the
act of settlement 1701, to the day of his death.

As your Lordship is thus descended from a race of patriots,
who were always firm to the Protestant cause, so it is well
known that you, my Lord, maintain the same principles, and
adhere to tlie same interest ; so that as your noble grand-fa-
ther was King William's High Commissioner to that brave par-
liament who restored the church and kingdom of Scotland to
their religious and civil privileges, so your Lordship has had
the honour to represent the royal person of his Majesty King
George II. in the General Assemblies of that church, ever since
the year 1741, and to partake of several other marks of the royal
favour ; such is the confidence his Majesty places in your
Lordship, and such the assurance he has of your loyalty to his
royal person and government, attachment to the protestant
religion, and hearty affection to the church of Scotland. That
God Almighty may bless and long preserve your Lordship
and excellent Lady, and make your family always patrons of
religion and liberty, according to the example of your noble
progenitors, is the sincere desire of,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's

most humble,

most obedient, and

much obliged servant,

WILL. CROOKSHANK.

PREFACE.

rt'SHE design of the following work is to give the history
-^ of the sufferings of the Church of Scotland during the
reigns of the royal brothers, — to preserve the memory of the
sufferers, and shew the cause of their sufferings, — to shew us
what we have to expect, should ever any of the pretended race
of the Stuarts fill the British throne — and, if possible, to con-
vince us of the unspeakable obligations a good and gracious
God has laid us under, in jJelivering these nations from the ty-
ranny of their oppressors.

It is but a general and imperfect account that is given of the
sufferings of the Church of Scotland in this period by the En-
glish historians; for they had neither proper infoi-mations nor
materials. The Rev. Mr Robert Wodrow, minister at East-
weed, is the only person who has given a large account of
these things in his excellent history ; but, as that work is con-
tained in two large volumes in folio y so there are but few that
have either time to peruse it, or can afford to purchase it ; and
since the reducing such a performance into a more narrow
compass was thought proper, for making the history of this
period more universally known, I was prevailed with, by many
of my friends, to undertake the difficult task.

The worthy historian, just now mentioned, had excellent
materials for his performance, having in his hands the re-
cords of the nation, besides original papers and well attested
narratives from those who were immediately concerned, or
were present at the, facts he has recorded ; and many gentle-
men and ministers, related to tlie sufferers, favoured hiui with
well attested accounts of the sufferings of particular persons,
as his preface sufficiently declares : so that it is easy to see
what labour and pains he must have been at in composing a
work from such a multitude of papers he had to peruse, tliei-e
being no historian before liim from whom he could have much
assistance. As this, I think, is a sufficient excuse for the vo-
knninousness of his history, so it slicnvs tlic expediency of this
undertaking.

The account that is here given is indeed tragical, for it i-
tiie history of a most cruel and l)loody persecution, and onciii
a scene that may justly fill us with horror. The kw^; against
the sufferers were written in blood, and executed by a miiiiary
force. All methods of cruelty v.-crc made use of by a 'prela-
tical faction, who not only invaded the pro^ici4ics of the sub-
ject; but even the prerogatives of the Me;li<it-jr a~ tiiv zv.\\

fi PREFACE.

head of the church. Many were exovlntantly fined, unjuslly
imprisoned, oppressed by soldiers, phuulcred by dragoons and
a lawless Highland host. ]Mnltitudes were forced to wander
about in dens and caves of the earth. Not a few were tor-
tured by boots, thunibkins, fire matches, Sfc. Some were be-
headed, others were hanged and quartered; women, as well as
men, suffered death ; some of them were hanged, antl oth.ers
drowned ; prisons were crowded, and ships were loaded witli
prisoners, who were banished from their native country of
whom many perished, S^r. S:c. ^x.

But what had they done ^ Were they murderers of fathers
or murderers of mothei-s .? Wei-e they thieves or robbers }
Quite the reverse ; for they were pious and religious persons.
Their enemies indeed have pretended that it was not so much
for religion as rebellion that they sulfered. Accordingly Sir
George Mackenzie^ in his Vindicafw?i of the reign of king
Charles II. lias the assurance to say, p. 17. ' That there
^ did not die, upon any public account, twelve in all that

* reign •, and that not one died ftsi- any principle of religion,
« unless it be thought a religious principle to die for actual rc-

* bcUion ;' and elsewhere, ]j. 8. ' That no man in Scofland

* over suffered for his religion •,' tlian which notl.ing can be
more false •, and the following history will smTiciently refute the
many lies and malicious misrepresentations in the advocate's
Vindicatio7i, and clcai:Iy shew, that wluitcvcr steps flie sufferers
look were the effect of unparalleled cruelty and uiibuj-.portable
oppression. It is well known, that, though no people could
be more attached to any prince, than the Scots Presbyte-
rians were to King Chaules II. and no prince was ever
under greater obligations to protect any subjects, and main-
tain them in the inviolable possession of their religious and
civil liberties, than Charles v»'as to protect them ; yet he was
no sooner restored, but he and his wicked ministry proclaimed
to all the world their horrid dissimulation, ingratitude and per-
jury. For, notwithstanding the covenanted tics which lay
upon the king and all tk.e nation, tiu>y overturned the pr.v-
hyterian settlement, which all, Avith uplifted hands, had sworn
to maintain, established 75;£7<-/n/, whicii, with the greatest solem-
nity, they had sworn to extirpate, and obliged ail to make a
declaration against the covi nants, and persecuted those who
could not comply ; so that prcshytcrians were counted rebels,
because they could not perjure themselves, according to the ex-
ample of the king and his ministers, nor subn^it to prelacy
nnd the supremacy ; because they esteemed diocesan bishops
as contrary to the word of God, and therefore could never
own and acknowledge them without acting contrary to their
.-consciences. They likewise locked :;pon the ecclesiastical su-

PREFACE. 7

premacy as an usurpation of Christ's throne and dignity ; es-
pecially as it was asserted, in the preamble of Act 1. Session 2.
pari. 1. Charles II. ' That the ordering and disposal of the

* external government and policy of this church doth proper-

* ly belong unto his majesty, as an inherent right of the crown.'
Their non-compliance with these things was the cause of their
suffering in the manner related in the following work.

It is true, many of them took arms in their own defence,
being constrained thereto by horrid oppression and dismal ty-
ranny, and at last some renounced the authority of the two ty-
rants, but not till after they had been denounced, intercora-
inuned, and put from under the protection of the laws of their
country ; and if that \Vas rebellion, so was the Revolution, but
the accusations of their enemies on this score deserves very
little regard, since, after the Revolution, the forfeitures passed
in these two reigns were reversed by act of parliament, and
they who were most active, in the defence of themselves and
their religious and civil rights, are expressly mentioned, as
Mr John King, Mr John Kid, Mr William and Alexander
Gordons elder and younger of Earlstoun, Henry Hall of
Haughhead, Mr Caigill, Mr Robert Baihe of Jerviswood,
Archibald earl of Argyll, George earl of Melvil^ nay, and
Mr James Renwick, &c. &c. &c. The reader may see the
act in the last nun}ber of Mr Wodrow's appendix to his se-
cond volume.

Little regard, I conceive, is to be paid to what others have
alleged, that many of them threw away their lives, and that
they suffered only for trifles ■, nay, if that was the case, was it
not base for the manisters of state, and others in this dismal
period, to shed the blood of so many innocent people for trifles ?
But vras it a trifling matter to act against their consciences,
to renounce their principles^ to own the authority of a prince
who had usurped the authority of Christ over his own church,
and that in the very exercise of his usurpation ? But I shall
not here anticipate what the reader will, I hope, find cleared
up in the history. In short, they were brave martyrs for their
religion and liberties, and a covenanted work of reformation,
in opposition to popery, prelacy, erastianism, &c. and it is
well known, that wliatever resistance was made bv any pres-
byterians during the sv/ay of tyranny and arbitraiy power,
yet they of th.at deiiomination have ever shewn themselves
strict adherers and firm friends to legal government.

As the following history is intended to preserve the memory
of those v.'ho suffered for their religion and Hberties, so it gives
us a view of what may be expected, should ever the pretender,
or any of his race, ascend the British throne ; or should ever
prelacy, not to speak of popery, be established in Scotland.

8 , I^RKFACE.

It is a just observation of the author of tlie Memoirs of the
Church of Scotland, p. 194. < Tliat episcopacy never got

* ground in that kingdom but by violence, and never fii led to

* exercise what power it had there to oppress and destix)y its

* opposers, being always animated with a spirit of persecution
« in the church j and'absohite tyranny in the state,' as will ap-
pear most evident from the following w<*-k ; in which we have
a view ol" the disir.al methods the prelates and their abettors
were pleased to take to support their power, and that they ne^^
ver ceased to vent a spirit of ])ersecution against their fellow
protestants while they were able : and there are not wanting
pi'oofs that tht' episcopalians have shewn the same inclinations
to this day, and only want an opporiunity to give farther de-
monstrations of them. As they were inveterate enemies to
the Revolution, so they have made many atter.ipts, since that
time, to overturn our present happy settlement, and bring us
again under their intolerable yoke ; but by the interposition
of a kind Providence, all their counsels have hitherto been de-
feated, and all their measures disconcerted. And happy was
it for these nations that it was so ; for, had they succeeded we
could have expected nothing bnt that the same bloody scene,
that is liere presented, would have been opened again, and
the same methods of oppression and tyranny made use of.
It has been alleged, that v.e had nothing to fear, because
their king, as they call him, would have come under the most
solemn engagements to maintain the prole.stant religion. But
who will question that ? Is it }>ossible for him to come under
{stronger engagem.entsthan King Charles II. or ir.ake fairer pro-
mises than his pretended fath.er James VII. ? The pope, no
doubt, would give him liberty to sVvear all tl)e ojiths that could be
invcftted, and break them too whenever it sliou'd be in his
power. Popish prmccs may promise and sv.-ear whatever they
have a-mind, but they cannot perform wliat they please, be-
cause tlicir consciences are in tJie keeping of others, to whom
they stand solenmly engaged, as their iniiillible guides in mat-
ters of religion.

Had therefore the Jacobites been so numeroi^s or powerful
as to succeed in tl.cir designs, and rais? the pretender to the
throne, to what drcadfid circumstances must the nation have
been reduced ? would not the pretender have resented, to the
highest, the opposition miule by the prcsbyterians to his pre-
tended lather and himself, or the inviolable attachment tliey
have retained to the Kevolntion-settlement, and the pro-
testant succession in tiie illustrious house of Hanover.

As all firm protestants in England appeared against every
attempt made in favour of that abjured race, so tlie presby-
lerians in Scotland were c'^vcccdcd by none uj standing up fqr

PREFACE. 9

the present happy establishment. With what fliiriness and
constancy, with what boldness, resoiution, and courage did
they espouse and plead for this pause even in the presence of
the i-ebels themselves, when it was not in their power to op-
pose their ravages ! How ministers exposed themselves to the
fury of the enemy by praying for king George, preaching a-
gainst popery and rebellion, &c. &c. is well known. What
then must they, and all the other hearty friends of their king
and country expect, should it ever be in the power of the emis-
sary of Rome and France to levenge his quarrel ? If their suf-
ferings were so great under Chanes and James, what they
must be under this bigotted tool is easy to conceive. *

This work is al: o dfsigned to convince all true protestants,
especially those of the Church of Scotland, what obligations
we are under to God, for the remarkable in.erposition of his
providence, in lielivering these nations from the intolerable
yoke of a race of tyrants, v>^ho did all they could to establish
arbitrary r-cwer, and subvert the constitution of the kingdom ;
a race who paid no reg-ird to promises, oaths; and laws j a
race who studied more to gratify the French king, than how
to cons'i'lt the happiness of their ov, n subjects : for who can
read an account of the misei'ies of the nation under their ty-
ranny, and not see the greatness of ihat mercy in delivering
us from them ? E; peciaily when we consider, that the same
])rovidence, to which such a deliverance was owing, has frc-
qLiently since appeared in defeating all the attempts that hava
been made to enslave us.

But have our returns of gratitude been answerable to the
greatness of our mercies ? What means then that deluge of
atheism, blasphemy and profaneness, that so much abounds ?
Whence are tlie complaints of the more serious ia all places
of the nation, of a lamentable course of defection from our Re-
formation-principles ? And, in a }:»articular manner, whence
is it that so many worthy persons have seceded from the judi-
catories of the Church of Scotland ? And how comes it, that
many of those, who have not seceded, are so much dissatisfied
with the conduct of these judicatories ? For my own part,
though I look upon secession to be a very teiuler point, yet I
cannot in charity think that some of those who have seceded,
however they may have carried matters too iar, Ikivc acted
without any provocation ; bat, as I knew not the springs of
the coriduct of the dillercnt parties now in Scotland, 1 shall
only say, that where divisions prevail, matters are generally
carried to extremities on all hands, and, in order to a recon-
ciliation, concessions ought to be made by all the parties, if it
can be done without making truth a sacrifice to peace. May
God hi.-nseif heal our divii,::;n3, put a stop to our defection^-.

10 PREFACE.

unite tlio li carts of all who have a real concern for the advance-
ment of his glory, and revive a work of reformation among
all ranks and degrees of persons.

I have heard it objected, that a history like this should not
1)0 published, because it may give offence to the episcopal
church of England. But v.hat ground tliere is for this, is not
easy to be imagined, unless we should suppose the present
bishops of England of the same persecuting disposition with
the old Scots bishops, or with several of their own predeces-
sors -, which is not the case (for though according to true
prcsbyterian principles, prelacy is bad in itself, and contrary
to the word of God ; yet the present prelates, to their honour
I speak it, liave not shewn the least incUnation to persecute
those of different sentiments from thiCmselvcs ; so that it would
be a reilection upon them to su})pose tliat they wtuild be oi-
lended at a history of the state and sufferings of the church
of Scotland. And wh.at if they should be offended .'* Must
truth be concealed for fear of giving ollSence ? There is no
question but it may offend the Scots Episcopalians, who are
j^cnerally Jacobites, as they have ever been since the Revolu-
tion ; ho\A ever, I neither court tlieir favour, nor regard their
resentments, as they have always ap[)enrcd, not only of a per-
secuting spirit, but ako enemies to their country, and our pre-
sent liappy establishment.

It has also been urged, that a history of this nature can on-
ly serve to revive old quarrels j but those persons do not con-
sider what attempts have been made to bring us under the old
yoke of bondage, how tlic enemies of our present happy con-
stiltilion have once more endeavoured to subvert it ; and
therefore, as the Rev. Mr Wodrow published his history a
few years after the unnatural rebellion in 1715, so many of
my friends, both in England and Scotland, have thoi:ght it
b()th proptr and seasonable that this sliould appeal- in th.e vrorld
after the rebellion in the year 1745. It was the Jacobites
that revived old animosities ; and this history, as has been al-
ready observed, shews the miseries in which we should have
])ccn involved, had (iod, in judgment for our many defections,
jtnd the cryii^.g abominations of the land, permitted them to
be successful. U it be farther considered what a degree of r<*-
formation the church of Scotland attained to, both wath re-
elect to doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, and
how zealously our worthies resisted even unto blood, a faithful
account of these things has rather a tendency to excite to a
holy concern, lor having a stop put to the defections of tiic
jiresent degenerate age, tor a revival of a work of reformation,
and for quickening our resentment against popery, prelacy,
ar.d every thing that tends to reduce us to that state of slavery
and persecution described in the following work.

PREFACE 11

Wlicn I first engaged in this undertaking, I only intended
to abridge IMr Woilrow's history ; but, et the advice of many
fi'iends, I was induced to use other helps for making the his-
tory of this persecuting period more clear and full. Accor-
dingly, when I mention any thing not to be found in Wod-
row, I generally tell my author, or quote him in the margin ;
so that though thei-e is nothing I thought material in that au-
thor which I have omitted, yet the reader will find many
things of consecjuence in the following work, which the other
takes no notice of.

But instead of the great number of letters that passed be-
tween Sharp and Mr Douglas, and others, which makeup the
greatest part of Mr Wodrow's introduction, I thought it would
be more to the advantage of the curious reader, to give a short
account of the most remarkable transactions of the church of
Scotland from the Reformation ; but I am sorry I have it to
say, th.at, after tlie end of Calderwood's history, there is a
chasm in the history of the Church of Scotland, from the death
of king James VI. to the Restoration, though it appears from
Mr Wodrow's preface that there are sufficient materials, not
only for rendering the history of that church, from the Refor-
mation to the death of the said prince, more perfect, but also
for continuing the same down to the Restoration ; and there-
fore I am of opinion it would be of great service, if they, in
whose hands these materials are, would favour the world with
them.

It is not for me to speak much concerning my own perfor-
mance, which must stand or fall according to the judgment of
others, and indeed it would be an unpardonable piece of va-
nity, should I pretend to have given a perfect or faultless his-
tory. There v.ill doubtless be found several mistakes ; and
therefore I shall take it very kind in my friends, if they find
a,ny thing in this work, either mistaken, or through inadver-
tency misrepresented, to let me knov^ it, that, if I have ana-
tlier opportunity, I may rectify the same. However, I have
endeavoured to set things in as clear a light as I could, and
foi- this end have related the facts mentioned, as much as pos-
sible, in the order of time when they happened; and where
ray reader is at a loss to understand the Scotticisms which oc-
cur through the book, he will have recourse to tiie Glossary
at tiie end thereof.

As to the unhappy differences that arose among the pres-
byterians., concerning the indulgence, the paying of cess, the
toleration of king James, &c. I have given the reader an ac-
count of what was said by both parties, in as fair and candid
a manner as I could ; and some, perhaps, will think it had
been ir.nch to ilie r.dvr.ntage of the common cause, against

12 PREFACE.

popery and prelacy, hnd the contending parties s'lewn more
Christian forbearance than it appears they did. Many wor-
thy and holy ^ncn thought it their duty to accept-of the indal-
gence, &c. and the generahiy of the presbyterians embraced
the toleration ; and as their conduct was, perhaps, too severe-
ly censured by those who could not comply, so those non-
complicrs were too bitterly exclaimed against by the' others ;
but such are the consecjuences when divisions prevail.

If I had been favoured with nior? ir.aterials than I could
have access to, as the manuscript history oi' the Rev. Mr Mac-
Ward, some things might possibly have appeared in a clearer
light. The Rev. Mr Wodrow told my honourable friend, Sir
Thomas Gordon of Earistcun, that, had he seen that history,
and the letters that passed between the societies ir. k'.cD'land,
and their corrcbpondents in Holland, his history v/o-ild have
liad a different turn ; I thought it therefore my duty to apply
for the said history, but could not obtain it. Upon the
whole, I have given as full and distinct account of what hap-
pened, duriiig those two infamous reigns, as 1 could •, and if
the imperfections or mistakes in this performance shall excite
any better (|ualified for such tin inulertaking, to favour the
world v.'ith a more distinct account of these things, I shall be
very well satisfied, and shall nat be altogether disappointed
in my designs o^publishiiig this.

I shall only add, That I have, in this edition, corrected many
literal mistakes, which had some wny been overlooked in the
tirst, and made a few alterations and additions, which .1 hope,
will render this still more useful.

INTRODUCTION,

CONTAINING

THE MOST REMARKAi3LI-: OCCURRENCES

OF THE

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

FRO?.I THE

REFORMATION.

OUR historians generally agree, that Chribtianity \va?
planted in Scotland, a few years after the ascension of
our Saviour, by some of the disciples of the Apostle John,
who fled thither to avoid the persecution of the bloody (yraat
Domitian, though it was not j:>ublicly professed till "the be
ginning of the third century, when Donald I. his queen, and
several of the nobles were solemnly baptized. That prince
did his utmost to extirpate idolatry, and setde a gospel-minis-
try, but was not able to accomplish his pious design, by rea-
son of the continual wars in which he was engaged with thy
Romans.

But afterwards Cluistianity was much promoted by several
ministers and private Christians, who were obliged to come
irom the south parts of Britain on account of the persecutions
under Aurelius and Dioclesian. And these for their single
and retired life, were called Mojiachi or Monks, by abbrevia-
tion, and for their diligence in the worship and service of God,
Colidei, or Culdees. The overseers of tl^m wcj-e coramonlv
termed, by the writers of that time, Scotoniyn Episcopiy the
Bishops of the Scots, though without any definition of place,
or pre-eminence of one above another.

For many years the Scots had nothing to do with the
bishop of Rome -, for as the gospel was planted among them
without his help, so they retained it in its purity, till, in pro-
cess of time, they became infected with the Pelagian heresy,
Celestine, then bishop of Rome, is said to have sent Pailadius
into Britain, to aid the orthodox inhabitants against this
spreading contagion. Eugenius 1 1 hearing of his success in the
southern parts, sent for him to Scotland. He came ; and,
having been of great service in suppressing this heresy, at
last so far insinuated himself into the hearts of the people,
that he obtained their consent to have the government of the
church changed into prelacy. Boetius, John Mair, John
Leslie, John of Fordon, Baleus, of the Britain writers, Ba-
ronius, Prosper, &c. as my author evinces, all maintain, that
the Scots, before Palladius, had no bishops at a!i, or at lea-rf.

H. IN'illODUCTION.

their bishops were not of any distinct order from other priests
or Culdccs, by whom they were ordained.

Thus matters continued for near 1000 years after Christ ;

* but, after that time, Satan being let loose from his cliains

* and prison of darkness,' as the general assembly, 1640, ex-
presses it, ' began to trouble and almost ruin tlie church, and,
< by liis arts, brought matters to that pass, that, for the space

* of 500 years, a pci-pctual and almost universal night of errors

* sat down upon her.' Notwithstanding the Lord had his
witnesses in Scotland, who, even during the above time of
gross darkness, bore an honourable testimony to his truth, in
opposition to the errors and idolatries of popery ; and, about
the year 1191-, the Reformation began to dawn, and the light
of the gospel to shine again in several parts of the count)-y, and
particularly in the shire of Ayr; which so enraged the Romish
prelates, and our rulers then influenced by them, that with
fire and I'aggot they endeavoured to destroy all that professed
the true religion *. Howbeit, the blessed Bible having got
in amongst the people in several places of the country, and
being seconded with the powerful teaching of the Holy Spirit,

* Though it may feeni ir.confjftent with our puipofe to dcfcend to particulars
here, yet, cotifidering that the burning of two cf thefe, viz Mr Patrick ?Iamil-
toi), brother's (on to the earl of Arran, in I.tIV, and Mr George Wilheart in
1546, tended greatly to the fpreaditig of the truth, ihrough the inquiry made by
many into tliL- groui:ds of their fufrcring>, we will take the liberty to hint at the
honour3i)le mention made of them by the famous hiftorian Knox.

Of tiie former he relates; 'that, having returned to his own country from the
TiniTerfity of Wittcmberg, the bright beams of tbe_true light, which, by God's
j^race, was planted in his hta; t, began mnft abundantly to burfl fortii as well in
public as in private, and the fame of his doctrine, a lunimary whereof is afforded
lis by that hillorian, fo troulil.rd the clcrt^y, (tliough like life from the dead to
many others) that they foon brought hir.i to the end you have htard, which he
endured with great patience "and admirable courage, and ended his days in the
midft of the devouring flame, faying. Lord "Jcfus riai've my Jpirit. Hoiv long iv'dl
*.t)i::efs o'vcrzvhclm this realm ? and bow long -wilt tliou fujir this tyranny of mm ?
And,

OfMrWifheart the fame hirtorian faith, He was a man of fuch graces, as
befo:e him was never heard within this realm. He was not only fingularly learn-
ed, as well in all godly knowledge as in all honed human fciences, but alfo he was
l"o clearly illuminated with the fpirit of propbecy, (inftances whereof are by
that author condffcendtd on) that he forefaw icvcral things pertaining to him-
fl'lf and others to fundry towns, and to the whole realm, as they afterwards felt,
and which he foretold in the audience of many; but what more particularly calls
for a thankful remembrance, cfpccially confidcring the time of it, was the great
power and remarkable efScJcy that accompanied and followed his miniflry. The
••••.ithor of ihc FulftUing of the Scrifiiincs, fpeaking of the large meafure of the Spirit
which did convincingly follow the preaching of tiie gofpel in thefe lad times, in-
ftanceth the great fuccefs, which did attend tlie miniHry of Mr Wifl^eart in Scot-
land— wh<.n 'b great a chrjige did quickly follow in tlicie places where he preach-
t-d, through Angus, Lothian, and the wcilern pavts, and how mu'rh the fpiiits of
the people v.'erc then raifed and ailected with the word. And Mr Knox relates,
That Mr Wiflicart made fo notable a lermon at Ayr, as enemies themfelves were
«o!ifounded. Again, of another at Alauchlin, where feme of the moff wicked
were converted : and that he having returned to Dundee, while the plague, of
which lie foretold them, raged there, he Rood bet-.vixt the whole and difealed.

INTRODUCTION. 15

prevailed so far, that about the year 1555, a farther work of
reformation began to be carried on by some eminent persons
whom God raised up, jiarticularly Mr John Knox, whom both
our own and otlicr reformed churches have accounted a man
truly worthy of great estimation ; and the Lord's hand was so
strong upon these polished shafts, that in the year 1557, not
only the common people, but also the nobiJity and gentry,
began to abhor the tyranny of the Bishops, and to doubt whe-
ther they could, without sin, give their bodily presence to the
mass, or offer their children to the Papistical baptism ; whe-
thei' these that were in any public trust could with a safe con-
science serve the higher powers, in maintaining of idolatry,
persecuting their brethren, and surpassing Christ's truth ; or
whether they might suffer their brethren to be executed for
religion, without any declaration that such tyranny displeasetl
them. And from the scriptures they were resolved, tliat a
lively faith requires a plain confession when Christ's truth is
impugned, and that not only they be guilty who do evil, but
also they that consent to evil ; and this they should do, if see-
ing such things openly committed they sliould be silent, and so
allow whatever v.as done. From doubts they came to deter-
minations to endeavour that the glorious gospel should be
preached, the Holy Sacraments truly ministered, and super-
stition, idolatr}', and tyranny suppressed. For this end, liav-
ing calculated both their right and their strength, they sent
eminent persons to the remote parts of the kingdom, to incite
the gentlemen and boroughs to adhere to the mutual defence
of religion, and of one another in the profession thereof Ac-
cordingly, upon the 3d December 1557, several of the nobi-
lity and others, met at Edinburgh, where they entered into ji
bond, covenant, or association, wherein they promised before
God and his congregation? ' That, by his grace, they would,

* with all diligence, apply their whole power, substance, and

< their very lives to maintain, set forward, and establish the

* blessed word of God, and his congregation •, and would la-

< hour according to their poiver to have faithful ministers truly

* and purely to minister Christ's gospel and sacranicnts t(»

< his people : that they woukl maintain, nourish and defend

* them, the whole congi-egation of Christ;, and every member

* thereof, v/ith tl.cir whole power and hazard of their lives ;

* and declare themselves manifest enemies, to all superstitiou.s

* abominations and idolatx-y.' This was subscribed by the
Earls of Argyll, Glencairn, and Morton, Archibald Lord of

and preached from Pfalm cvii. 20. Htfcut Lis -ziorJ and h:a'.ul ib:r: ; -.vhcrei-.y
the hearts of nv.ft that heird him were io elevated, that they regarded no ceatii,
but judged them more happy who fhnild depart, than fi.c!i as Ihould re:r.i/n be-
hind, confiderincr tha^l-he/ kntw net if they (liou'J huvy fn:h a comfccctr vsith
. them ut a!i times.

16 INTRODUCTION.

Lorn, John Evskine of Dun, &c. who after this, wore called
the Lords of the Congregation, and the people who adhered
to them were called the Congregation.

And though in all this they proceeded widi that modera-
tion which became wise subjects, attempting nothing of them-
selves widiout first supplicating die Queen- regent for her con-
currence, yet, at last, she appeared openly against the Re-
Icrmcrs, and made preparations to suppress them openly by
force : and in order to this, she summoned all the ministers
in Scodand, to appear at Stirling on the 10th of May 1559,
which being understood, and endeavours for appeasing her
proving abortive, it was agreed, That the gendcmcn should
accompany their preachers to Uie day and place appointed.
Accordingly the town of Dundee, with tiic gcntlcmci'. of An-
gus and Mearns, came armed with theirs to Perth, and sent
the Laird of Dun before, to assure the Queen that they came
in a peaceable manner, only to give confession with their
preachers-, but-they being numerous, she desired him, being
one to. whom they gave great ear, to intreat diem to disperse j
v.-ith which he readily complied, and by a letter to them, shew-
ed what promise and hope he had of the Quern's favour,
whereupon they resolved not to go forward ; but she, like a
true Papist, paying no regard to her promises, hekl the meet-
ing intencled, c-illed over the names, and oudawcd diosc that
rwere absent for contempt.

The Lords of the Congregation, observing die storm that
-was coming upon diem, assembled at Perth on the 31st May,
and entered into another covenant, or association, for the de-
fence of themselves and their religion ; and on the first of
August that same year, they entered into anodier ; and God
so favotu-ed their designs, that, notwithstanding all die efforts
of the Queen-regent and her French auxiliaries, they made
their way, got possession of Edinburgh on the iTtli ot Octo-
ber 1559, and at last the whole government of the kingdom
into dieir hands. And what contributed greatly to this re-
markable aira, was the death of the Queen-regent ujion the
lOlh of June 1560, and of Francis II. King of France, the same
year, within a few months thereafter, whereby Mary our Queen,
iiaving become awi<.low, and the Popish party thaivwith much
confounded, both she and they were, in a great measure, at
the ir.ercv of the Reformers.

In Uic'mcan time die privy-council met, and, on the 29tli
fef April that same year/gave^ordersto the ministers to assem-
ble, and draw up in writing, and in a book, a common order
forrefonnadon and uniformity to be observed in diediscijilmi'
and policy of tl;o church : whereupon the first book ot dis-
cipline was<]rtr.vn up and presented to the council on the'iOlh

^i w:^

INTRODUCTION. 17

of May following. In this book the government of the cliurcli
by Prelates is overthrown, church-sessions are established, the
thrusting ministers into reclfiiming congregations is condemn-
ed, the way of the trial of ministers, contrary to the Episco-
pal method, is appointed, the superstitions observation of fast-
days, or days dedicated to saints, is likewise condemned; and
several other tilings tending to the right government of tlic
church are determined. This v.'as afterv/ards approved of bv
the council, v/ho engaged to proniote it to the utmost of theiV
power, provided that the bishops, abbots, &c. should possess
the revenues of their benefices during life.

It is true, superintendents were allowed for a short space, be-
cause of the paucity of settled ministers, and want of literature
in som.e, which tlie necci^sity of these times required a bearing
with ; yet so zealous were our first iieformers against po})ery,
that they Avouldnot acknowledge tten to be bishops, nor suf-
fer any who had formerly born that character in the time of
popery, to enjoy the place and power of superintendents, lest
those might be abused, and at last degenerate into the old
power of the prelates. They were chosen by consent of the
whole bounds where they were to visit, were trietl and exa-
mined by the ministers in these bounds, and had neither the
sole power of ordination nor excommunication. They were
subject to the censure and excommunication of the province,
who might, in some cases, depose them or lay them aside.
Their main work was preaching, for they were to preach at
least thrice every week ; and had their own particular flocks
besides, where they were to reside, except when they were vi-
siting the bounds committed to their care : neither did thev
(^ver moderate or preside in general assemblies, unless they
hnd been chosen by a majority of votes.

The book of policy being thus far settled, affairs rested for
the present, until ihe meeting of a convention or j)ariiamenL,
the calling whereof was, by the treaty of peace concluded by
the ambassadors of Enghmd and France of the estates of Scot-
land, in summer 1560, committed to a council of twelve.

In this parliament, vvhicli met in August J 560, the Reformers,
by their order, drev/ up a k^vge confesaion of their faith, which .
was read in the house, and then openly avowed, professed and
ratified by ihem ; for hitherto they had only the Geneva con-
fession, which vv^as reckoned too brief and general. Farther,
lliis parliament made several ncrs against popery, and in bchait
of the Reformers, ordaining. That the Bishop of Rome, called the
Pope, have no jurisdiction nor authority within this i-ealm in
any time coming ; and that no bi'-hop or other prelate withm
the realm use any jurisdiction for the time coming, by the
-aid Bishop of R'nr.L-'s authority, under pain, &t. And ihu\

VOL.!. ■ B

^8 INTRODUCTION.

the reformed religion was established by law, and church govern-
ment by prelates virtually discharged, because prelates then had
no power but what they derived from Rome.

Popery and Prelacy being thus discarded, the first General
Assembly was held at Edinburgh the 20th of December 1560,
in which ministers and readers were appointed unto several pa-
rishes through the country ; and it was ordered, that the election
of ministers and elders should be in the public church ; that in-
timation should be made the Lord's day preceding ; and that
a petition should be presented to the estates of the realm and
lords of the privy-council, craving, that all judges, magistrates,
&c. should be professors of the truth according to the word of
God.

A convention of estates met in January 1561, at which the
book of discipline was subscribed by many of the nobility and
gentry. But Ouecn Mary, having arrived in Scotland from
France in the month of August following, had the mass said on
the next Lord's day, which gave great offence to many ; and
particularly Mr Knox openly rebuked some of the courtiers,
who, though professors, suffered this without opposition.

The second national assembly met in December, when some
debates" arose concerning their meeting without the Queen's
authority, and concerning the book of discipline; but matters
were amicably adjusted. At the next assembly, in June 1562,
it was ordained. That, at every assembly, superintendents, mi-
nisters and ciders be tried concerning their life, doctrine, and the
discharge of their office. And it is remarkable, that this assem-
bly would not acknowledge Mr Alercander Gordon, Bishop of
Galloway, for a superintendent., nor admit him to that charge,
till they understood that the churches in Galloway had elected
him, and till he had sub-xribcd the Book of Discipline.

The Oueen's marriage with Henry Stuart, lord Darnly, in
July 1565, gave a general disgust. On the 19th of June next
year, she was brought to bed of a Prince, afterwards James VI.
The general assembly, sitting at that time, sent some of their
number to congratulate her Majesty, and to desire the Prince
might be baptized in the Protestant Church. But the Oueen,
disregarding their reasonable request, ordered the Prince to be
baptized after the popish manner, at Stirling-Castle, by the
Archbishop of St Andrews. Soon after King Henry was mur-
ilcrcd by tUe Earl of Bothwel, who afterwards married the
Queen on the 6th of May 1567. This horrid scene, and many
other pieces of misconduct, issued in the Oueen's being obliged
to renounce the government in favours of her son, who was
proclaimed King of Scotland, and crowned the 29th of
July. Mr Knox preached the eoronation-sermon, and the

INTRODUCTION. 19

Earl of Moray was made Regent, v/ho next year, on the
13th of May 1568, defeated the Queen's forces in the battle of
Lnndside. Whereupon the Queen fled to Ertgland, where she
was afterwards beheaded.

In the midct of these troubles the judicatories of the church
convened, parishes had ministers settled among them, and
the discipline of the church was in a great measure established.
In this agreeable posture matters continued for a few years j
but Satan, envying the prosperity of this infant Church, ex-
cited some of the statesmen against her, who having possession
of the church rents, and the prelates benefices, contrived a
method for securing the possession of them to themselves, by
getting in some Tulchan bishops*, as they were. called, who
might have the name of the whole benefice, but receive onlv
a small part, leaving the rest in the hands of these nobles.
Accordingly the Earl of IMorton got the Earl of Marr, then
Regent, to call an assembly at Leith, by means of the super-
intendent of Angus, vv'ho, upon their meeting the 12th of
January 1572, nominated six of their number to attend six
appointed by the council -, and these twelve agreed to several
things tending to introduce the Prelates; and according to
these resolutions the Earl of Morton procured one Mr Douglas
to be made Bishop of St Andrews, Mr Boyd of Glasgow, M*'
Paton of Dunkel, and Mr Graham of Dumblain.

Mr Knox was then at St Andrews, and refused to have any,
hand in setting apart the bishop, nay, bore an open testimony
against it. The general assembly, held at St Andrews the
6th of March, appointed some of their number to examine In-
to these things.

On the 24th of November, the famous, pious, learned and
zealous Mr John Knox departed this life. The night before
he died, lie sighed and groaned much in his sleep : and when
he awoke, one Campbell and John Johnston, who attended him,
having asked him the reason, he answered, < In my time I
i have been often assaulted by Satan, and oft he hath cast my sins
I in my teeth, to bring me into despair, but God gave me grace

< to overcome all his temptations. And now that subtle ser-
i pent, who never ceaseth to tempt, hath taken another course,
I he seeks to persuade me that my labours in my ministry,
t and the fidelity I have shewn in that service have merited

< heaven and immortality. But blessed be God who brought
« to my mind these scriptures, What hast thou that thou hast
( not received? And, Not /, but the grace of God in me. "With
« which he hath gone away ashamed, and shall no more return.

• A Tulchan is a calf's skin stuffed with straw to make the cow give milk.
The bishop had the title, but my Lord had the milk. Cajderwood. p. 55.

20 INTRODUCTION.

< And now I am sure my battle is at an end, and that, with-
' out pain of body or trouble of spirit, I shall shortly change
* this mortal life for that happy and immortal life.' After
prayer he was asked whether he had heard it ? He replied,
' Vv'ould to God ye had heard it with such an ear and heart

< as I have.' Then he said, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. After
which he spoke no more, but without any emotion resigned his
soul into the hands of his God and Father. Thus the church
was deprived of a burning and a shining light.

The above mentioned innovations were so disagreeable, that
they were condemned by several after assemblies •, and par-
ticularly it was agreed by the general assembly, in October
157S, that all Bishops already elected shall be required par-
ticularly to submit themsc^lves to the general assembly, and if
tliey refuse, after admonition, the censure of excommunication
was ordered to be passed upon them. And in the year 1580,
the assembly unanimously ordained, T'hat all who were called
bishops should demit simpliciter, because that office had no
warrant in the Word of God ; and at the same time ordained
provincial synods to call before them such bishops as lived in
their bounds, and ordered them to give obedience to this act ;
whereupon presbytcrits began to be established in this king-
dom.

On the 28th of January loSl*, the Confession of Faith,
or National Covenant, was subscribed by the King -and -his
liousehold, together with a great m?ny others, and afterwards
bv all ranks of people in the land. In this Confession, under the
name of Hierarchy, iscondemned Episcopal government ; so that
one might think that Presbyterial church-government was now-
established upon sure and lasting foundations. But the King
liad no relish for the Presbyterial establishment, and had those
about him who increased his prejudices. In short, he was in
the hands of the Duke of Lenox, the Earl of Arran, and others,
who were disagreeable to the rest of the nobility.

Wherefore on the 20th of August 1582, happened the fa-
mous rode of Ruthven, when the Earls of Marr and Gowrie,
the Master of Oliphant, young Tochlcven, &c. came to Perth,
after the King had returned from a hunting-match in Athole,
and conveyed him to Ruthven Castle. At the same time they
presented a declaration, signifying the reason of their conduct,

• N. B. In the title of the N.itional Covenant, in the Confedion c;f Faith, it is
r.iicl. That it wiS luhfcribcd by the King's ATaj:fly and his household In the
vcar l.>0, tiicrcafttr by ptrfons of all rank.^ in tiie year l.^Sl. The reafon ofthe
clirt-rencc ofthe calculation here fecms to be this, that the English (amongst whom
the National Covenant, as prefixed to the Wtrtminrter ConfelTion, was first pri-.'-
t-d) do not bfgin tiitir year till the -.5th of March, v\ herens CalJr-rwood reckons
by the prefent Calcuir.tion.

INTRODUCTION. 21

and then carried him to Stirling, where they gave him the full
liberty of his person and government, only taking ihe admini-
stration out of tlie hands of Lenox and Arran. The King
never forgave this attempt, but resented it against tlie ministers,
as if they had been the chief instruments concerned. How-
ever, he complied with their terms, and published a proclama-
tion for restoring the liberties of the kirk, with the freedom of
her judicatures. The assembly sat down in October and recog-
nized the reformation, erected presbyteries in the north of Scot-
land, and impowcred them to summon the bishops before them.
And thus prelacy was borne down, and the church had a little
sun-shine. But the King secretly hated them, and notwith-
standing all his subscriptions and proclamations, was determin-
ed to run them down.

Accordingly, in May ISS^, his Majesty having got a par-
liament to his mind, they discharged all church-judicatures,
gave the King power over all ctmses, ecclesiastical as well as ci-
vil, discharged all declining of him and his counsel in any mat-
ter under pain of treason, and likewise all ministers to meddle,
in their sermons, with the affairs of his Highness or the estate.
But in this parliament matters were so ordered underhand by
the court, that it seemed rather a private council than a parlia-
ment ; the ministers had no access to be heard, and such as
protested against their illegal proceedings, as Mr James Low-
son and Mr Walter Balcanquel, were forced to fly into Eng-
land to escape the fury of the prevailing party : Mr Andrev/
Melvil was likewise obliged to make his escape. Upon this
bishops were appointed, who immediately e;:ercised their ty-
ranny and rage against the rest of the ministers, obliged them
to promise obedience to them as their ordinaries, upon pain of
banishment, confinement, &c. so that many v/ere forced to re-
tire, and none durst so much as pray publicly for those mini-
sters who fled, under the pain of treason. Fi-cm this the author
of the Memoirs of the Church of Scotland justly observes. That
no sooner was Episcopacy, upon any occasion, set up in Scot-
land, but it began always to. persecute the Presbyterian Chnrcli.

The parliament sat again the 24'th of August, and enjoined
all ministers and other ecclesiastical persons to appear within
forty days, and subscribe the new constitution of the church, as
it was called, and submit to their diocesan, on pain of , losing
their stipends. This brought no small ti-oub!e upon those who
refused, and many went into a voluntary banishment.

However, it was not long before matters took another turn.
Episcopacy, was not able to support itself, so that assembiiof.
and provincial synods were restored, and t'le King again profes-
sed a singular regard for the Presbyteriai establislmient. In
sb.urt, rnuit?r5 were carried on with so muvh success, that,

22 INTRODUCTION.

In the year 1590, theNaLional Covenant was ngain sub;'.crib-
ed by all sorts of persons. The general assembly met at Edin-
burgh on the 4th of August, and then the King and the Church
seemed perfectly reconciled j for to the eight session his Maies-
ty came in person, and being seated on a chair of state, the Mo-
derator, Mr Patrick Galloway, proposed to him these three
things, viz. The ratification of the liberties of the Kirk ; the
purging of the land of Jesuits, seminary priests, &c. and pro-
viding stipends or salaries in every parish for the ministers. To
the first the King answered, That in nil parliaments the liber-
ties of the Kirk were first ratified; that they knew his good
will to purge the land of Jesuits ; and for the third he refer-
red them to the council, and desired that Masters Brucr,
Lindsay, Point, and the Moderator might be sent as com-
missioners to treat on the subject. In a word, to please the
assembly, he stood up, and taking off his bonnet, with hi?
eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, said, < That he praised God
' that he was born In the time of the hght of the gospel, and in

* such a place as to be King of sucii a kirk, the sincerest kirk
' in the world. The kirk of Geneva keeps Pasch and Yule.

* What have they for them ? They have no institution. As for

* our neighbour kirk in England, their service Is an ill said mass

* in English, they v/ant nothing of the mass but the lifiings.

* I charge you, my good people, ministdrs, doctors, elders, no-

* bles, gentlemen and barons, to stand to your purity, and to

* exhort the people to do the same, and I, forsooth, so long as I

* brook my life and crown, shall do the same.' Thus the King
flattered the assembly ; and they were so moved y/ith this un-
expected declaration, that for a quarter of an hour, there was
ncthing heard bur praising God and praying for the King.

While his Majesty continutd in this mood all things went
on easy, the church flourished, her judicatures were acknow-
ledged, and her prelatical enemies fell before her. On the 21st
of May 1 592, the assembly triel; and agreed to present the follow-
ing articles to the King. 1. That the acts of parliament made
ISS-i against the authority, discipline, and government of the
church be reversed, and the present government established.
2. That the act of annexation be abolished, and the patrimony
of the church restored. 3. That abbots, priors, and other pre-
lates have no more liberty to vote in parliament. And, 4. That
the country, which is fearfully polluted with Idolatry and
blood, be purged.

The assembly directed their brctliren, and others who were
appointed to present these articles, to go immediately to his
Majesty, and admonish him gravely, in the name of the eternal
God, to have respect in time to the state of the true religion,
(0 the many murders and oppressions daily multiplied through

INTRODUCTION. 23

impunity and lack of justice, and to discharge the kingly office
both, as he will eschew the fearful challenge of God, and avert
his wrath ofF himself and the whole land •, and, that he might
be the better informed, to lay down the particulars to him, and
crave his answer. The King did not much relish this faithful
warning. However,

The parliament sat down on the 29th of May, and ratified
the privileges and government of the church, and particularly
the powers of general assemblies, synods, presbyteries, and kirk^
or kirk sessions, and reversed the act 1584', granting commis-
sion to bishops and other judges constituted in ecclesiastical
causes, &c. The ministers improved these advantages, and
their judicatures exerted memselves to the utmost to suppress
Popery and profan^ness. And the better to gain this great
and important point,

The provincial synod of Fife met 1593, and gave it as their
opinion, that commission-^rs repair to the King, ' To tellplain-
' ]y to his Majesty, that which all his true subjects think, touch-

* ing his too much bearing with, favouring and countenancing
< of Papistical teachers, his negligence in suppressing of idola-
« try and establishing the kingdom of Christ within the realm ;
« and to declare freely to his Majesty the resolution of all his

* godly and faithful subjects, viz. That they are ready to give

* their lives rather than to suffer the same.' Accordingly, Mr
Melvil and others were appointed. The synod next proceeded
to excommunicate the Popish lords, without regard to the
countenance they received from his Majesty.

This plain dealng could not but excite the church's enemies
to contr;ve methods for her overthrow. The papists, on the one
hand, plainly 'p-*rceived that they could have no quiet settle-
ment in Scotland, unless the authority of the church was brok-
en : and profane politicians and courtiers, on the other, not be-
ing able to bear the strictness of the discipline established, pre-
vailed with the King, notwithstanding all his former promises
and protestations, to oppose, and at last to overthrow it.

The assembly 159S, solemnly renewed the National Cove-
nant, and made a faithful representation to the King of the sins
of his person and family. But after that the church had not
another like it during his reign ; for ever after this he encroach-
ed upon their liberties, and about the end of this year, a bond
was devised to be subscribed by all the ministers of Scotland,
on pain of losing their stipends, in which they were to acknow-
ledge the King as thfir sovereign judge in all causes of sedition
flnd treason, — and of all their speeches which may import the
said crimes, though uttered in the pulpit, or any other place.
This the faithful ministers would by no means subscribe ; be-
cause, when thev subscribed the Confession of Faith and Na.

-"J- ' INTRODUCTION.

tional Covenant, they thcr: acknowledged liis Majesty'b lawful
authority ; and because they perceived that it was devised on
purpose for a snare, and their subscription would be a virtual
acknowledging of the King as supreme and only judge of mi-
nisters in ail causes. Thus early did the churcli of Scotland
testify against the ecclesiastical supremacy.

On the 27th of December a proclamation was published iit
the cross of Edinburgh, requiring all magistrates, barons, and
gpntlemen of power, to interrupt mii-.ir.ct rs if they should utter
any speeches tending to sedition from their pulpits, in reproach,
contempt or disdain of the King,liis parents cr progenitors, his
council and their proceedings, to put them in sure firmance, till
the King and Council were advertised to take farther order, or
at least to hinder them from preaching within their bounds or
jurisdiction. These were great encroachments. The most of
the minij,ters refused tlie bond with abhorrence.

After this the King called a convention of ministers to meet
at Perth the S'Sth of February 1507, the generality whereof
were nominated by the King, and members came from the
north i" unusual numbers; and therefore the honest part of the
ministers denied this to be a lawful assembly, and protested
against it, and whatever sliould be transacted in it. Eight pres-
byteries entirely opposed it, but eleven approved of it under the
name of extraordinary. And as the mem.bers of this meeting
were such as generally subscribed the bond, they gave way to
his Majesty's measures.

The lawful assembly had been appointed to meet at St An-
drews, whether Mr Robert Pont, the moderator of the last as-
sembly, went on the 27th of April. Tliough the number of
commissioners was but small, yet they met in form, constituted
themselves regularly, and having begun tlie assembly with pray-
er, as usual, and with the confession of sins, which had caused
the present sad alteration of affairs, they protested for the li-
berty of the church, and referred all other affairs to the next
meeting.

Mean while the King appointed another assembly of his own
model to meet at Dundee in the m.onth of May. Tlie King's
design, at this assembly, was to get' the popish lords, who had
been excommunicated, absolved, and the assembly at Perth ac-
knowledged. By this time, one way or other, he got several of
the poorer sort of the ministers to come into liis measures,
some complying for preferment, and others for honour and pro-
fit •, and thus a rent was made in the church, which grew wid-
er and wider every day. x\ccordingly this assembly absolved
the lords, ratified the Perth assembly, ordained that there be no
njeeting of nnnisters without his Majesty's consent ; and intked
wU ccchsiastical mnltcrs, wl:ich were to be treated in general

INTRODUCnON. 25

:isscmblies, were, henceforward first proposed and determined
by the King.

At his majesty's desire, this assembly cliose fourteen of their
number, authorising them, or any seven of them, to advise with
him about a method of presenting the petitions and grievances
of the church, settUng ministers stipends, &zc. However plausi-
ble the pretences were for this commission, yet the event shew-
ed what was the real design j for soon after they gave in a pe-
tition to the parliam.ent then sittin'T in the name of the church,
(though falsely, for the main body of the church abhorred the
thought of such a thing) that ministers, as representing tlie
church, the third estate of the kingdom, might have liber: v to
sit and vote in parliament. The estates in parliament assem-
bled, judging that there was no inconveniency in complying,
being of opinion that no honest minister would assume any prc-
latical title, past the ;:me into a law, and ordained, That such
pastors and ministers, as at any time his Majesty shall please to
provide to the ofTice, place, title and dignity of a bishop, abbot,
or other prelate, shall at any time hereafter have vote in parlia-
ment, as much as ever any ecclesiastical person had in times
.past, &c. And this was approved by the royal assembly, which
met at Dundee the following March. At this assembly the
King would suiFer nothing to be done till Mr Andrew^ Melvil
was removed. Kay, this Mr M:lvil, together with'T^Ir John
Johnstoii, professor of divinity in St Andrews, v/ere charged to
depart out of the town under pain of horning. When the act
of approbation passed by a small majority, after many tlireaten-
ings to some, and prom is s to others, then Mr John Davidson
entered a solemn protest in his own name, and in the name of
all the ministers of Scotland who adhered to him, against that
and the two preceding assemblies, as void and null. It is cer-
tain their acts were afterwards reversed^ both by the p:;rliament
and assembly.

In short, there were several meetings, as one at Falkland the
29th of July lo98, where vi^ere some debates upon this affair,
and some cautions limiting these parliamentary ministers, to
propose nothing in parliament without expres-; warrant from
the church, to be accountable to the general assembly, and sub*.
ject to their presbytt-ry and synod, and every way to behave as
other ministers : and to all these and other necessary points,
they M'ere bound to swear and s,ubscribe. But all this was
artifice, the better to bring in Episcopacy by art and flatterv,
and by degrees ; for even Spotiswood says, Ic was neither the
King's intention, nor the niinds of the wiser sort, to have those
cautions stand in force, but to have matters peaceably ended,
and the reformation of the policy made fi. c. Eniscon.icv es-
tabii;h*:!l) without any aci-rc. From hence it is plaiii; tii.it Pre-

26 INTRODUCTION.

lacy v/as established in Scotland on the foundation of royal
flattery and dissimulation, and of open and avowed perjury.

In July 1599, Monsieur Bethune arrived ambassador from
the most Christian King, for renewing the ancient league be-
tween France and Scotland ; and in September following the
King wrote a flattering letter to the Pope, at the instigation of
Secretary Elphingston, intveating him to promote the bishop of
V;''-zon, a Scotsm.an, to the dignity of a cardinal, that by his
means there might be a correspondence between the lying and
the court of Rome. In this letter his Majesty styles the Pope,
Beatissif?ie Fnter, Fontijex Alaximus, &c. The King afterwards
pretended that another person wrote this letter, and that he
signed it in haste, in a crowd of other papers which were to
pass the sign-manual. The curious reader may see the letter
itself in Calderwood's history, p. ■i'J?, since -I have not room to
insert it here.

On the 17th of Ncvcniber following began the famous con-
ference at Holy-rood- house, to which sundry ministers were
summoned, but the Kmg took care to secure a majority of his
own party. For^formality's sake those things were debated and
resolved, which his Majesty had before resolved, without de-
bating. The questions \yere not, if the giving ministers votes
in parliament should be confirmed ; that was past already : but
how many they should be who should chuse, and what title
they should bear. In a word, their number and choice were
left to the King, and it v.-as proposed that they should have
the title of Bishops : and thus a foundation was laid for bring-
ing in of prelacy.

On the I9rh of NovL:-:2bev IGOl, the Ouecn was delivered of
a Prince, afterwards King Charles 1. Matters continued much
in the same situation during the time the King continued in
Scotland : the assemblies were abridged of their liberty, and
the parliamentary ministers were appointed. But,

About the end of March 1G03, an express arrived from
England, with the news of the death of (^ueen Elisabeth, and
with letters of recognition from the privy -council there ; upon
which James was congratulated by the lords, &c. and proclaim-
ed King of England, France, and Ireland.

On the 3d of April he made a speech in the great church of
Edinburgh, wherein, among other things, he said, < As God

* hath promoted me to a greater power than I had, so I must

* endeavxDur to establish religion, and take away corruption in
' both countries. Ye need not doubt, but, as I have a body as

* able as any King in Eufope, whereby I am able to travel, so

* I shall visit you every three years at least, or oftener, as I shall

* have occasion, (for so have i written in my be ok directed to

INTRODUCTION. - 27

« my son, and it were a shame to me not to perform that which
' 1 have written) that I may, with my ownmouth, take account of

* the execution of justice of them that are under me; and that
' ye yourselves may see and hear me, and from the meanest to
< the greatest, have access to my person, and pour out your

* complaints in my bosom. This shall ever be my course/

These were fair promises, but not one word of them was
performed; for no sooner did he become a King of an Epis-
copal Church, but, as was always natural to the spirit of Pre-
lacy in Scotland, he became a persecutor of that very church,
which, in the most solemn manner, he had declared to be the
sincerest or purest church upon earth.

In the month of July 1606, the parliament met at Perth, and
acknowledged his Majesty's sovereign authority, princely power,
Toyal prerogative and privilege of the crown, over all estates,
per;,ons and causes, and restored the bishops to the ancient and
accustomed honour, privileges, livings, lands, &c. and repealed
the act of annexation ; by which they were restored to their
votes in parliament, and had the title of Lords of parliament.
But though they were thus advanced to civil dignities, yet no
ecclesiastical jurisdiction was given them. The conimissioners
from the several presbyteries through Scotland, being met at
Edinburgh, gave in a most excellent protestation against this,
in the name of the church in general, and in name of their pres-
byteries from whom they had commission in particular. This
was subscribed by a great many ministers, and among others by
Mr Adam Bannantine, Mr John Abernethy, and Mr William
Couper, who afterwaixis became bishops themselves.

When prelates weie thus advanced to their civil dignities
methods were next fallen upon to advance them to spiritual
power. Accordingly, on the 10th of December this same year,
an assembly v/as called too meet at Linlithgow ; but then only-
some presbyteries, in whom the King most confided, had no-
tice of it ; nay, matters were so secretly managed, that the mo-
derator of the last assembly knew nothing of the matter. Here
it was agreed, that there should be constant moderators in pres-
byteries chosen, and that, where the bishop resided, they should
moderate both in synods and presbyteries. When this act
came dov/n refmed from court, about half-a-year afterwards,
all synods and presbyteries were charged, under pain of rebel-
lion, to admit the constant moderators.

This was so disagreeable to the church of Scotland, that not
one of tiie provincial synods accepted the constant moderator
eixcpt: the synod of Angus, -and even there it met with no small
opposition. But the synod of Perth remarkably distinguished
themselves on this occasion, at their meeting in April 1607.
Lord Scoon came with a commission from the King, and threa-
tened them in his Mnj_c".ty's name, if they refused to admit a

2S INTRODUCTION.

constant moderator. But, notwithstanding all threatenings and
unjustifiable; insults, Mr Row, their last moderator, tock the
roll of the synod in his hand, and 'when Scoon would have
pulled it or.*:, Mr Row kept his hold, and called all the names
of the members, who chose Mr Henry Livingston for their
moderator. He beginning with prayer, according to the cus-
tom of the judicatories at that time, Scoon profanely interrupt-
cn him, and threw down the table, but he still continued. In
short, when they returned to the next meeting, tlie church,
doors were shut against them, so that they were obliged to
meet at the south church door, and agreed, that every presby-
tery, at their first meeting after the synod should chuse their
own moderator.

In the month of February ir> 10, a cominission given under
the great seal to the two archbishops, together with Several
noblemen and gentlemen, to hold two courts of high com-
mission, was proclaimed at the cross of Edinburgh •, by virtue
of which the archbishops. Sec. obtained power to excommuni-
cate, imprison, fine and confine, for causes ecclesiastic, whe-
ther in doctrine or manners, whether in noblemen, ministers,
or common people ; and there was scarce any kind of injustice
or oppression that was not practised in consequence of this.

And that the bishops might have the sanction of a general
assembly, one of the King's appointment was held at Glasgow
in June. All the constant moderators who had their hundred
pounds a-year, resorted to this pretended assembly. The Earl
of Dunbar was sent thither with a strong guard, to intimidate
the ministers, so that several, who were coming from the west to
protest, were forced to return back. There was likewise money
brought to hire votes. At this corrupt meeting it was, among
other things agreed, that the calling of assemblies belonged to the
King ; that every minister, at his admission, shall swear obedi-
ence to his ordinary ; that synods should be moderated by pre-
lates ; that no minister shall preach or write against the acts of
this assembly *, and that the question about the parity or imparity
of ministers shall not be mentioned in the pulpit, upon pain of
deprivation, &c. But though these were great encroachments,
yet there was not a word at this meeting concerning the con-
secration of bishops-

riowever, it was judged necessary that the bishops elect
should be consecrated by some of the same order ; for this
purpose the King sent for three of them into England, viz.
"Mr Spotisv/ood, archbishop of Glasgow, Mr Lamb, bishop of
Brcchen, and Mr Hamilton, bishop of Galloway, and issued a
commission under the great seal, to the bishops of London,
Ely, Bath and Wells, and Rochester, requiring them to proceed
to the con.sccration 6l the above mentioned bishops I'.ccording to

INTRODUCTION. 2D

the English ordhial. They were accordingly consecrated in the
chapel at London-house, October 21, 1610. In the mouth of
December theihree consecrated bishops returned to Scotland, and
consecrated Mr George Gladstones archbishop of St Andrews,
and in January and February 1 Gil, the rest of the bishops
were consecrated, sc^me at St Andrews, and some at Lcith.

Thus the original constitution of the church of Scotland was
overturned by an ui-urped authority, and other violent and in-
direct means, contnry to the inclinations of the people, and
the repeated protestations of the assembly. Bishop Burnet,
though an adversary, in the history of his own times, ac-
knowledges that gre it opposition was made to all these steps ;
and adds, that the m hole force of the government was strained
to carry elections to these meetings, or to take of those v/ho
were chosen, in which it was thought that no sort of practice
was omitted.

In the year 1612, a parliament met, and Inserted in their
registers the oath which every minister was to swear at his
admission, by which they declared that the King was the su-
preme governor in all causes ecclesiastical as well as civil, and
that they held their churches of his Majesty and the crown
royal of the realm. They were also to sv/ear obedience to the
bishop of the diocese. Thus were matters carried on with a
high hand in favour of prelacy, contrary to the general, sense
both of ministers and people.

On the 4th of March 1614, the ministers v/ere commanded,
by proclamation at the cross of Edinburgh, to prepare the peo-
ple for the Lord's supper, ;ind to administer it to them upon
Easter-day the 24th of April. The people were likewise
charged to communicate on that day at their own parish-
churclies, which was contrary to several acts of asseiribly.

In the year 1G17, the king made a tour to Scotland, stilK
farther to advance the cause of prelacy there. The chapel at
lloly-rood-house was adorned after the manner of that at
Whitehall, pictures being carried from London with the statues
of the twelve apostles and four evangelists, curiously wrought
in timber, in order to be gilded and set up. But the people
nuirniuring, the birhops dissuaded the King from setting them
up. His Majesty made liis public entry into Edinburgh on
the 16th of May, and next d:;;y the English service, singing of
qulristers, playing on organs, and surplices, v/cre first heard
and seen in the chapel-royal. And the sacrament of the Lord's
supper was administered on Whitsunday after the English
form. Hou'ever, still greater alterations must be made ; for,
when the parliament did meet, it was proposed, that whatso-
ever his Majesty should determine in the external govern-
ment of the Ciiurch, with the adyice of the archbi'^hnpc-, bishop-..

so INTRODUCTION.

and a competent number of the ministry, should have the strength
of a law. About fifty-five ministers entered a humble and re-
spectful protest against this, for which several of them suffered
exceedingly : as Mr Archibald Simpson, Mr David Caldervt'ood,
Mr Peter Hewet, and others, who, having been summoned be-
fore the high commission, were deprived and confined, or im -
prisoned, and Mr Caldervvood was ordered to depart forth of
the kingdom. So thai, the bishops being once got in, the
King and they were resolved to carry matters as far as possible.
Accordingly,

On the ::i5th of August 161S, a meeting was called at Perth,
to which his Majesty sent seven noblemen, fifteen barons and
gentlemen. Here the honest party was borne down. Spotis-
■wood, who took upon him to moderate, told them, tliat he
"would send tlie names of all who refused to the King. He ask-
ed the votes of many w bo had no commission, and so these.fivc
articles, viz. 1. Kneeling at the holy sacrament j 2. Private com-
munion ; S. Private baptism ; i. Confirmation of children ; and,
5. The observation of holy days, had the approbation of ail, ex-
cept one nobleman, one doctor, and forty-five ministers. All
these unscriptural innovations Spotiswood got ratified in the high
conmiission.

But these not being suilicicnt to establish the articles into a
law, it v/as resolved to use all the interest of the court to carry
them through the parliament, which was not, however, attemp-
ted till the year 1621, and then they were ratified on the 4th of
August, notwithstanding all the opposition made thereto by se-
veral faithful ministers. But the methods used were contrary
ro the ordinary freedom of parliament. Care was taken that
none of the ministers should get into the house to protest, for
rhey knew that they had a protestation ready to deliver. And in
the parliament itself they met with great opposition. The Lords
Rothes, Monteitli, Eglmton, Linlithgow, Kintail, Gray, Ross,
Y ester, Cathcart, Coupar, Burlie, Balmerino, Elphingston, Tor-
phichen, and Forbes, all publicly voted against it. However,
the act passed, and the articles were thereby ratified. But it is
remarked, that when the King's commissioner rose to touch this
act with tlie sceptre, there came in at the window a great flash
of lightning ; alter that a second and a third. Then there suc-
ceeded an extraordinary darkness to the astonishment of all in
the house. The lightnings were followed by three loud claps
of thunder, which several thought were the firing of the castle
guns. Then there was a surprising shower of hail succeeded
by such rain as made the streets run like rivers, so that ihe par-
liament was obliged to stay within doors for an hour and a half,
and afterwards to go heme without their robes.

The prelates having now all pcw?r in their hands, tyrannized

INTRODUCTION. Si

over all ranks in such a manner, that the inhabitants were more
afraid of disobliging them than his majesty ; for they banished
or imprisoned what gentlemen or ministers they pleased upon
the slightest pretences, such as hearing their own old ministers
and the like. The prisons were filled with deprived ministers,
and the remote parts with the banished. And thus far King
James went in establishing Prelacy, and thereby shewed his gra-
titude to those by whom his life was preserved in his infancy,
and by whose means he obtained the crown ; and what a regard
he had for the National Covenant, and for that which he called
the purest church upon earth. But I leave the reader to his
own reflections. He died not without suspicion of poison, 27th
March 1625. It is certain, says Bishop Burnet, no King died
less lamented, or less esteem.ed, than he was. This sunk the
credit of the Bishops of Scotland, who, as they were his crea-
tures, so they were obliged to a great dependence on him, and
even thought guilty of gross and abject flattery towards him.

His successor, Charles I. was no less zealous than his father
for prelacy ; but, being left embarrassed in a war with Spain,
and afterwards entering into another, rashly, with France, he
had not leisure to pursue his de.iigns upon the church of Scot*
land for some years. However, at length, he carried things in
so arbitrary a manner, both there and in England, that he ne-
ver desisted till he tumbled headless from the throne.

Though, about the end of the last reign, the persecution was
hot against some eminent ministers ; yet many, by the special
providence of God, had a peaceable residence at their several
pastoral charges. Some of them were protected by persons of
considerable distinction ; for not a few of the first rank in Scot-
land distinguished themselves by a concern for the purity of gos-
pel-ordinances, axid remarkable success attended the ministry of
those who had not conformed to prelacy. Solemn fasts were
likewise observed through the land, on account of the deplorable
state of the church of Scotland, and for a revival of the Lord's
work in that nation : and God was pleased to give a gracious re-
turn to their prayers, as we shall relate.

In the year l6$o, the King made a tour to Scotland, attend-
ed by Laud, bishop of London, together with the earls of Ar-
undel, Northumberland, Holland, Pembroke, Southampton, and
other Lords, where he was crowned, on the l&th of June, by
Spotisv/ood, archbishop of St Andrews, assisted by the bishops
of Ross and Moray. One Larrcy, speaking of the King's corori-
ation, says, ' The archbishop of Glasgow ought to have been on
< the right of the archbishop of St Andrev/s ; but Laud, who
' had the direction of the ceremony, seeing he was not in his
* pontifical robes, as the others were, being a person who ab-
f horred pomp, had the boldness to puU him forcibly frcm his

32 INTRODUCTION.

< place, and to substitute the bishop of Ross in his stead. To

* tliis outrageous insult. Laud added words that were not less

< insulting : Are you a churchman, and dare you appear here

* without a habit suitable to the Episcopal dignity, and the so-

< lemnity of this day ? The Scots saw, by this action, what^was

< to be expected from such a man, who was zealous lor Epis-

< copacy, even to superstition •, but they knew him mucli bet-

* ter s.^oa after.'

On the 20th of June the parliament met, ami gave his IMa-
jesty the largest subsidy that had evcc been granted to any king
of Scotland before him. After which he proposed two acts re-
i.iting to i-eligion, the one concerning his royal prerogative and
the apparel of churchmen, and the other for ratifying the former
;icts touching religion. These were the only acts that met witTi
any oppos;ri.>.i, on account of the consequences which some
feared the King wou'd afterwards draw from them. Some of
the members of this p .riiament suspected the King woidd make
use of this act to introduce the surplice. And being asked
whether he intended it, he made no answer, but taking a list
out of his pocket, said gentlemen, I have all your names here,
and I'll know who will do me service, and who not, this dsy.
However, it was carried in the negative, thirteen Lords and the
inajority of the commons voting against it. The Lords s;iid,
they agreed to the act, ;.o far as it related to his Majesty's pre-
ro;;ative, but dissented from that part of it which referred to the
apparel of churchnnen, fearing lest, under that cover, the sur-
plice mii!,ht be introduced. But his Majesty said, he would
have no distinction, but commanded them to say yes or no to
the whole bill. The King marked every man's vote, and upon
casting them up, the clerk declared th.U it was carried in tlic
aihrmative, whit.h some of the members denying, his iVlajcsty
said, the clerk's declaration should stand, unless any of them
would go to the bar, r.nd accuse him of falsifying the record of
parliament, at the peril of his life. This method of proceeding
justly disgusted ail ranks of people, especially as the King would
not look upon the dissenting Lords, ncr suffer them to kiss his
hand.

When the King left Scotland, he erected a new Bishoprick
at Edinburgh : and, about two months after, Laud being ad-
vanced to the Archbislicprick of Canterbury, framed artic!es for
the reformation of his Majesty's royal chapel in that city,
winch were sent to Scotland, with a declaration under the
King's own hand, thvU they were intended as a pattern for all
cathedrals, chapels, and parish-churches in that kingdom. Tlic
liturgy was to be read in the choir, the sacrament to be receiv.
ed kneeling, the dean to appear in his wliites, &c. Motter'^
"vcre come to a sorry pi^s, wlicn such innovations v/ere mad'-
1

INTRODUCTION. 33

by an English prelate, without the consent of either parliament
or general assembly in Scotland. Surely faithful ministers had
just reason to preach against the English hierarchy, and to warn
the people against surrendering up their liberties into the hands
of a neighbouring nation.

Accordingly, their endeavours were not fruitless : for as
Bishop Burnet observes, though the bishops were, cherished by
the King with all imaginable expressions of kindness and con-
fidence, yet being charged with popery, arminianism, and breach
of sabbath, they lost all their esteem with the people. Neither,
says he, stood they in better terms with the nobility, who
were at that time as considerable as ever Scotland saw them.
They were offended because the bishops seemed to have more
interest with the King than themselves. Spotiswood, arch-
bishop of St Andrews, was made chancellor, and Maxwell,
bishop of Ross, was fair for the treasury. They were no less
hateful to the ministry, because of their pride, which was cried
out upon as insupportable •, so that the reader cannot be sur-
prised at the nation's being roused, and at the methods which
were afterwards taken to throw off the dismal yoke of prelacy.

When the King was in Scotland, it was reckoned a blemish
in the church, that it had no liturgy nor book of canons. To
supply this defect, the King ordered the bishops to prepare
draughts of both, and remit them to London to be revised by
the bishops Laud, Juxon, and Wren. The book of canons be^
ing first finished, was presented to the King, and by him de-
livered to Laud and Juxon to be examined, altered, and reform-
ed at pleasure, and to bring it as near as possible to the Eng-
lish canons. The bishops having executed their commission,
and prepared it for the press, the King confirmed it by letters
patent under the great seal, dated at Greenwich, May the 23dj
1635. These canons were subversive of the whole constitution
of the church of Scotland ; for the first canon excommunicates
all who affirm the power and prerogative of the King not to be
equal with the Jewish Kings, that is, absolute and unlimited.
The second exconimunicates those who shall affirm, that the
worship contained m the book of common prayer, which was
not yet published, or the government of the church by arch-
bishops, bishops, &c. to be corrupt, superstitious, or unlawful.
The book farther decrees, that no assembly of the clergy shall
be called but by the King ; and that none shall receive the sa-
crament but on their knees. After sundry other canons of this
nature, as appointing fonts for baptism, church ornaments, com-
- munion-tables or altars, &c. the book appoints, that no person
shall be admitted to holy orders, or to preach, or administer the
sacraments, without first subscribing the foresaid canons. These
VOL. I. G

2* introduction;

things could never go down with the people of Scotland. No-
thing could be a greater evidence of infatuation, than to think
that they would submit to canons dictated for them by a few
foreign bishops, without so much as asking their advice or
consent. These proceedings, and such an unprecedented
stretch of the prerogative, and to them hateful supremacy could
not miss to enfl?.me them.

And, to crown all, the King was resolved to have a public
Liturgy or book of Common-prayer used in Scotland. This
his father could never accomplish, and his son soon found it
impracticable. It was, however, appointed to be read on Easter-
day 1637, against which time all parishes were to be provided
with two books at least. It was first set up in the chapeLroy-
al at Holy-rood house, but the more the people saw the ser-
vice performed, the more hateful and abominable it appeared
to tliem..

On the 2.Sd of July there was a great concourse of people
in the great church at Edinburgh, and, when the hour of ser-
vice was come, the dean In his surplice came out of the vestry,
the people gazing as at algreat show, passed through the crowd
to the reading desk, and began the service, the people as yet
continued quiet ; but on a sudden, at some words that disgust-
ed Jannet Geddes, an old woman, she started up and said.
Villain, dost thou say mass at my lug ? and taking up a little
itool, on which she sat, threw it at the desk. Some that sat
next followed her example, till the v/hole church was in an up-
roar, and the dean obliged to leave the desk and pull off the
surplice, for fear of being torn in pieces. The bishop of Edin-
burgh being present, went into the pulpit and beckoned for
silence, but to no purpose : so both bishop and dean were
obliged to give over and retire to the vestry for their safety.
As the lords of council complained to the King of this disorder,
they spared not to lay the greatest blame of it upon the bishops.
After the strictest enquiry, it did not appear that any above the
i-neaner sort were accessary to this tumult. Hov/ever, the lords
of council thought proper to dispense with the service next
Lord's day, till they should hear from his Majesty. But Laud
dispatched their messenger with all expedition, telling them.
It was the king's firm resolution that they should go on with
their work •, and blaming them highly for suspending it.

The country people having then been engaged in their har-
vest, things went on pretty smooth ; but when that was over,
it was soon found that the generality of the nation was dis-
o-usted at these impositions; accordingly, in the middle of Sep-
u mber, .-. vast number of the gentlouicn of rank, and others,
yrescnted a petition to the councilj requesting them that th«

INTRODUCTION. 35

scrvico book might be no farther pressed upon them, till these
thing > might be represented to the King, and his pleasure be
farther known. The council not regarding this petition, and
being avorse to a being importuned, removed the session to
Linlithgow ; whereat the citizens of lidinburgh were so enraged,
that a vast mob arose and surrounded the council-house, while
the members were sitting, and demanded a more favourable
answer to their petition, and that the service book might be
'aid aside till the king was fully informed of the matter. Next
day another petition was presented, signed by nineteen noble-
men, three hundred gentlemen of note, and by the principal in-
habitants of Edhiburgh. But though this petition was sent
to the iving, yet instead of returning a soft answer, he ordered
a proclamation to be published from Stirling, to forbid all tu-
multuous meetings on pain of rebellion, &c.

Upon this, sundry noblemen, barons, ministers, and burgh-
ers met together, and signed the following protest, ' 1. That

< it is the undoubted right of the subjects of Scotland to have

* immediate recourse to the King by petition. 2. That arch-
' bishops and bishops ought not to sit in any judicatory in this

< kingdom, civil or ecclesiastical, till they have purged them-

* selves of those crimes which are ready to be proved against

< them. 3. That no proclamation of council, in presence of

* the archbishops, or bishops shall be prejudicial to any of our

* proceedings. 4. That neither we, nor any that adhere to us,

* shall incar any damages for not observing the liturgy or book
' of canons, as long as it is not established by general assembly,

* or act of parliament. 5. That, if any inconvenience fall out

< which God prevent, upon pressing the late innovations, we

* declare tlie same is not to be imputed to us. 6. That all our

* proceedings in this affair have no other tendency, but the

* preservation of the true reformed religion, and the laws and
' liberties of the kingdom.'

The council, being apprehensive of danger from these large
assemblies and combniations of people, agreed. That if they
would return peaceably to their habitations, they might ap-
point some of their number of all ranks to represent the rest,
till his Majesty's pleasu.e concerning their protest should be
more fully known. Accordingly they erected four tables at
Edinburgh, one of the nobility, another of the gentry, a third
of the boroughs, and a fourth of the ministers. These pre-
pared and digested matters for the general table formed of
commissioners from the other four, where the final resolutions
were tatien.

These, rightly judging that the main procuring catse of [all
the calamities of the nation, was the violation of the National
Covenant, unanimoiisiy resolved to renew the same j and accord-

fi6 INTRODUCTION.

ingly they drew it up with some additions and confarmations out
of the acts of parliament, and bound therpselves < to adhere
' unto, and defend the true religi')n, and (forbearing the prac-

< tice of all novations already introduced in the worship of God,
« or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of
' the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be

< tried and allowed in free assemblies and parliaments) to labour,

< by all means lawful, to recover the purity and liberty of the
' gospel, as it was established and professed before the foresaid
' innovations, and promise and swear to continue in the pro-
« fession and obedience of the foresaid religion, to resist all con-

* trary errors or corruptions ; and that they had no intention to
' attempt any thing that might tend to the dishonour of God,

* or to the diminution of the king's greatness and authority,
i and to defend themselves mutually in the same cause,* &c.
This was subscribed by all present ; and copies of it being sent
to those who were absent, were read in the churches, heartily
approved of, and subscribed and sworn to, with tears and great
joy, on the first of March 1638, in the Grey Friars church at
Edinburgh. The flower of the nation was present. This so-
lemn meeting consisted of the nobility, of the barons and gen-
tlemen from the several shires, of burgesses from burghs, with
ministers and others. The town of Aberdeen, was the only
place of any note in the kingdom that declined to join in the
Covenant. Therefore the general meetings at Edinburgh sent
Masters Alex. Henderson, Dav. Dickson and Andrew Cant, to
that town ; and, notwithstanding the opposition they met with
from the doctors and ministers of the place, such was their suc-
cess, that several of special note cheerfully put their hands to
the Covenant, which was sworn by the generality of all ranks
through the nation before the end of April.

The King, being informed of all these proceedings, sent the
Marquis of Hamilton, as his high commissioner, to use his ut-
most to dissolve the tables, and get them to desist from the
Covenant. The Covenanters^ for so they were after this called,
absolutely refused, and insisted upon a free parliament and a
general assembly. The Marquis, finding he could make no im-
pression on these faithful men, returned to court : mean while
;he general meeting agreed to publish a paper, intitled, Renscns
for a general assembly^ and came to a resolution, That, if the
ICing should refuse or delay to call a general assembly, they
would fall upon the most proper measures themselves for con-
vening a free national assembly of the church of Scotland.
The Marquis, returned about the 12th of August, and proposed
from the King the granting of an assembly, but upon such con-
ditions as had an evident tendency to frustrate the designs of
'he^e faithful contenders for the cause of Christ. The Mar-

INTRODUCTION. 37

quis returning again to court, it was agreed, That, if he did
not come back by the 2 2d of September, they should proceed
in the election of commissioners for a general assembly. The
Marquis, according to his instructions, had made several con-
cessions, such, as the revoking the liturgy, the canons, the
high commission, and the five articles of Peith, but as the main
thing was omitted, viz. the abolishing of diocesan Episcopacy,
they justly rejected all proposals. He returned at the time
appointed, and published a proclamation for an assembly to
meet at Glasgow the 21st of November 1638.

The assembly met, consisting of 143 ministers, together
with professors from the universities, and 95 ruling elders from
the presbyteries and burghs. Forty- eight burghs were present
by their commissioners, so that there were only 47 elders from
the presbyteries. The Rev. Mr Henderson minister at Leu-
chars was chosen moderator. The Earl, afterwards Marquis of
Argyle, though a member of the privy-council, attended all the
sessions of this assembly, in order to hear their debates, and de-
terminations concerning diocesan Episcopacy and the five arti-
cles of Perth, and declared his full satisfaction with their deci-
sions. It was here that this noble peer began to distinguish
himself by a concern for the Redeemer's glory, and he conti-
nued stedfast unto the end, dying a martyr for that cause which
he now espoused ; and at the 8th session, several others of the
nobility expressed themselves after the same manner with Ar-

gyJe.

The Marquis finding, after seven days attendance upon the
assembly, that they resolved to carry on the design of the ta-
bles, thought fit to dissolve them in the King's name. But as
they found not his reasons for dissolving them of equal weight
with those which called them together, they entered a humble
protest thereagainst, and continued to sit until they finished
their business. In their protest they say, That it is unlawful
in itself, and prejudicial to the privileges that Christ has left
his church, for the king to dissolve or break up the assemblies
of this kirk, or stay their proceedings; for then it would follow
that religion and church-government depended absolutely on
the pleasure of the Prince, &c. The assembly, therefore, con-
tinued sitting till they passed the following acts : An act for
disannulling all the assemblies by which Prelacy was counten-
anced and established, particularly those held in the years 1606,
1608, 16J0, 161G, 1617, 1618 : An act for abjuring and abo-
lishing Episcopacy : An act for condemning the five articles of
Perth, book of canons, book of ordination, and the high com-
mission : An act for restoring presbyteries, provincial and na-
tional assemblies; and several others of the same nature. They
likewise pronounced sentence of deposition against the bishops.

38 INTRODUCTION,

eight of M-hom were excommu.iicatcil, four excluded h-om the
ministerial function, and two only allowed to oHiciare as pas-
tors or presbyters. They then wrote to the King, complaining
of his Majesty's commissioner for declaring thcni traitors, and
praying that he would look upon them as his good and faithful
subjects.

But the King, partly from his aversion to presbytery, and
partly from his consulting with none but the avowed enemies
of presbytery, published his resolution, on the 26th of January
1639j to go in person agamst th? Scots covenanters at the head
of an army. They, on the other hand, hearing of the prepara-
tions which were making against them, provided as well as thev
could for their own necessary defence. The King went against
them with an army ; but matters were so managed, that liis
Majesty thought proper to yield to a pacification, by which all
differences were to be referred to a general assembly, to be held
August the 12th, and a pariiamerit to meet in a fortnight there-
after. Both armies v/ere to be dismissed ; however the Scots,
knowing with whom they had to do, prudently kept their ofB-
cers in pay, that they might be ready in case of necessity.

The assembly met at Edinburgh, and the earl of Traquair
was commissioner. They unanimousl) confirmed the assembly
at Glasgow, appointed the Covenant to be taken throughout the
kingdom, and, with one consent, determined that diocesan epis-
copacy M'as unlawful ; all which the commissioner assented to.
The parliament sat down on the 31st of August, but, things
being managed contrary to the king's inclinations, it was pro-
rogued to the 2d of June 1640.

Mean while the king resolved to renew the war, in order to
force the Sects to a compliance with his designs. Both parties
made preparations accordingly. The Scots were victorious at
Newburn and took Newcastle. At last the king, finding it
impossible to carry on the war, appointed commissioners to
treat with the Scots at Rippon, who agreed to a cessation of
arms for two m.onths, and the treaty to be adjourned to Lon-
don, where a free parliament was immediately to be called.

While these things were transacting, the parliament of Scot-
land sat down on the 2d of June, which was the time to which
it was adjourned, and, by their fourth act, they ingrossed and
specially ratified an act of the general assembly 16'i9, conde-
scending on the imposing of prelacy, the tervicc-book, and book
cf canons, the five articles of Perth, S:c. ar, the causes of their
bygone evils, with the remedies tliercof. They also ratified the
covenant, and ordered it to be inserted in tlieir registers. So
that, if we may not say with some authors, that, in this parlia-
ment, all the acts of the assembly 1639, were ratified, we may,
at least affirm, that the sum and substance of the reformation
then attained to, and contended for, v,-as so.

INRODUUCTION. S9

The king not relishing the proceedings of the parliament at
Westminster, made another progress into Scotland, with a
view, whatever was pretended, to break the confederacy that
was then between the Scots and the English parliament. He
arrived at Edinburgh in August, and on the 19th the parlia-
ment sat down, and there he approved of all their late proceed-
ings, in opposing the English liturgy, and erecting tables in de-
fence of their liberties. And it was enacted, That every mem-
ber of succeeding parliament shall take and subscribe the na-
tional covenant, and give an oath in parliament relative there-
unto. And thus presbyterian government and discipline were
re-established by king, parliament, and assembly, and abjured
prelacy legally abrogated.

While Charles was at Edinburgh, it is said that he sifted the
Scots, to see whether he could prevail with them to invade
England, to assist him to subject the parliament there to his
\i-ill ; and that he offered them the three northern counties for
rhis service. Yet, the author of The Mystery of Iniquity, print-
ed at London 1G43, says, « That the king sent propositions to

* the Scots while at Newcastle, of joining with the English
« army against the parliament, and that, for this Service, he of-
« fered them three hundred thousand pounds to be paid down,

* the four northern counties, and the plunder of London, the

* quitting of his revenues and customs in that kingdom to their

* public use, the king's residence at York, for the better ac-

* commodation of both nations ; but that the Scots not only
^ refused these offers, but likewise acquainted those who were
< most intrusted with the affairs of the English parliament, of

* their readiness rather to assist them in securing their just pri-

* vileges, and in settling both nations in truth and peace.'
Whatever be in these things, it is certain his majesty's design,
in this progress, was to gain over the Scots, that he might be
at liberty to enclave the English parliament, and therefore he
complied with every thing. At this time the marquis of Ha-
milton was matle a duke, and the ea'-l of Argyll a marquis.
But the king no sooner returned to England, than he repented
of all his concessions in Scotland.

During the civil war in England, the English parliament
called an Assembly of divines to sit at Westminster, for con-
sulting about religion and churdi-government, in order to car-
ry on a work of reformation in that kingdom. These divines
were men of eminent learning and godliness, ministerial abili-
ties and fidelity. In the year Itil-3, commissioners were sent
to Scotland to trc^t with the assembly there concerning these
things. The commissioners arrived at Edinburgh, August 9th,
and were favourably received. On the 12th they presented their
proposals to the convention of estates, and on the 15th to the

40 INTRODUCTION.

assembly, desiring, That because the popish prelatical faction
is still pursuing their design of corrupting and altering the re-
ligion through the whole island, the two nations might be
strictly united for their mutual defence against tliem and their
adherents, and not to lay down arms, till those their implacable
enemies be disarmed, &c. It was agreed, at the first confer-
ences, that the best and speediest means for accomplishing the
union and assistance desired, was, for both nations to enter in-
to a mutual covenant and league, which was soon drawn up
and approved of, and sent into England by the hands of Lord
Maitland, afterwards Duke of Lauderdale, and INIr Henderson
and Mr Gillespie, where it met with the approbation both of
the parliament and the assembly then sitting at Westminster,
and was solemnly sworn and subscribed almost in all parts of
that nation.

When thus it was sworn in England, the commissioners of
the general assembly, 11th October 1643, ordered the same to
be, with public humiliation and all religious solemnities, received,
sworn, and subscribed by all ministers and professors within the
church of Scotland : and next day the commissioners of the con-
vention of estates appointed the same thing. All this was ap-
proved and ratified by act of parliament 15th June 161-i, and
by the general assembly 1645. And thus both nations, in a
most solemnmanner, abjured popery and prelacy, &c. and by this
means the strength of the popish and prelatical faction was, in
a great measure, broken.

By this time the King's alTairs grew desperate, wherefore, on
the 5th of May 1646, he surrendered himself to General Le-
ven, and marched with the Scots army from Newark to Newcas-
tle ; but he would by no means approve of the solemn league and
covenant, nor yet comply with the propositions made to him by
the parliament of England. At last he was, upon the intreaty
of the English parliament, and their promise for using him ho-
nourably, delivered up to them, and their commissioners convey-
ed him to Holmby-hous*^, where he continued for some time.

In the year 16*8 the Duke of Hamilton, by his interest and
intrigues, prevailed with the convention of estates to rise an army
and appoint him general of it, in order to rescue the King from
his captivity. This undertaking and engagement was entirely dis-
agreeable to many, and the commission of the assembly remon-
strated against it j not that they were against the king's rescue,
as appears from their declarations, but they found, that, under
the colour of acting aj^ainst the Independents of England, the
Royalists, the mortal enemies of Scotland and of all presbyte-
rians, were to be restored : besides, this was chietly promoted
by those who were never h lends to the reformation then attained
to; nay, they observed, that men were sent for to Edinburgh, who

INTRODUCTION. 41

were enemies thereto, as Langdale, Musgrave, Glemham, and
others ; that the junction with the King's party, consisting of
Papists and Episcopahans was a most manifest breach of the
covenant J that, in short, by this the covenant, which was the
basis and foundation of the union between the two nations,
would be destroyed, whilst it was pretended ao raise an army
for its support. And indeed Providence blasted the whole
design ; for though Duke Hamilton invaded England with a
numerous army, yet he was routed by Cromwell, taken prison-
er, and afterwards beheaded.

Soon after this defeat, the parliament not only condemned
txie engagement, for the reasons above-mentioned, but likewise
passed an act against the engagers, ranking them in several
clasces, whence it got the name of an act of classes^ whereby
they were excluded from all ofhccs of public trust and vote in
parliament. Of this number were William Earl of Lanark,
brother to the Duke of Hamilton, the Earl of Lauderdale, and
several others who formed a faction, which Rapin calls the
Hamiltonian. In short, this act included all who had opposed
the work of reformation. The commissioners of the assembly
likewise appointed chuixh-censures to be inflicted on those
who had been concerned in the engagem.ent, in order to bring
them to repentance.

At last the sectarian party came to such a height in the
English army, that they over-ruled the parliament of England ;
for they put down the house of lords as useless, modelled the
house of commons as they thought fit, and erected a new court,
which they called a high court of justice ^ before which they ar- ,
raigned the king and violently took away his life, Jan. 30. 1649, ^^ "^ { ;
against which the commissioners both of the church and state ; '^'j^dV '
in Scotland did solemnly protest.

Tne Prince of Wales received the news of these things at
the Hague, and immediately assumed the title of King, being
then 1 8 years of age, and made those of his father's council,
who attended him, to be sworn of his privy-council, with the
addition only of one person, viz. Mr Long, his secretary. In
the mean time his condition was deplorable, not having where-
v/ith to maintain his household, or any table but that of the
Prince of Orange, his brother-in-law, and subsisting intirely
by his assistance, v^hich could not last very long.

When advice came of the King's death to the parliament of
Scotland, which was then sitting, they, on the .5th February
]6t9, ordered Prince Charles to be proclaimed King of Great
Britain, France, and Ireland, promising humbly and faithfully
to obey, maint an and defend him, according to the National
Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant, with their lives
and fortunes •, and at the same time declaring, that, before he

42 INTRODUCTION.

be admitted to the exercise of the royal power, he shall give
satisfaction to the kingdom in those things that concern the
security of religion, the unity between the kingdoms, and the
good and peace of the kingdom of Scotland, according to the
covenants, &c.

Immediately commissioners were sent to treat with his Ma-
jesty at the Hague, who returned without satisfaction. Next
year commissioners were *-ent to him at Breda. The parlia-
ment pitched upon the Kr.rls of Cassils and Lothian, Alexander
Brodie of that ilk, IMr George Winram of Libberton, these
tvi'o last being lords of session, togc:hcr with Mr John Smith
and Alexander JefFray The commission of the kirk chose the
Reverend Mr John Livingston, Mr James Wood, and Mr
George Hutcliison. Cassils and Brodie sustained the character
of ruhng elders. It was with great reluctance that Mr Living-
ston engaged in this service. The day these commissioners
landed at Campvei^e, Lothian and Libberton proposed that let-
ters might be written to Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Lauder-
dale, and some other malignants then at the Hague, to repair
to Breda to assist at the treaty; which was rejected. How-
ever after the commissioners got to Breda, Duke" Hamilton,
&c. came likewise. The parliainent had limited the time of
treaty to thirty days, and yet it was several days before the
first papers were delivered to the King, and some days after
before his Majesty gave his answers. The King complied at
last to all the conditions required, yet the Reverend Mr Living-
ston, one of the commissioners, says, That, all the time of this
treaty, he continued the use of the service-book and of the
cliaplains, and that there d d not appear any thing of sincerity
on ihis part, for he granted nothing until he was in a manner
compelled ; and it was the very last day they had to treat be-
fore the treaty was concluded.

The King postponed the signing of the treaty, on account of
the great hopes he had entertained from the expedition of the
Marquis of Montrose, who had picked up 2 or bOOO men in
Denmark and Holstein, with an intention to prepare the way for
tlie King's reception in Scotland, without being obliged to com-
ply with the terms proposed. Part of these troops landed first
in Orkney, and the rest at Caithness, during the time of the
treaty. The parliarftent having notice of this, ordered David
Lesly to march against him -, but before he could come up,
Colonel Strachan fell upon, and entirely defeated them. Mon-
trose surrendered himself to Assint, by whom he was sent un-
der a strong guard to David Lesly, who carried him to Edin-
burgh, where he was hanged, drawn and quartered. It was
found that he had the King's commission ; whereupon the
committee of estates determined to recal their commissioners

INTRODUCTION. 43

Ironi Breda, and break off the treaty , and for this end sent an
express with letters, which falling into the hands of Liliberton,
were, without the knowledge of the other coniinicsioners, de-
livered by him into the Kiiig's hand'j ; who seeing how mat-
ters stood, thought proper to comply with all the proposals.
Kc engaged to remove from his counsels all who stood excom-
■ municate by the kirk ; that he would take the" National Cove-
nant and Solemn League and Covenant, and prosecute the ends
thereof; that he would ratify and approve all acts of parliament
enjoining the same, and establishing Presbyterian government,
the directory of worship, the Wesminster Confession of Faith
and Catechisms, Szc. and that all civil matters should be deter-
mined by the present and subsequent parliaments, and all ec-
clesiastical by the ensuing general assemblies of the church.
Bat though he agreed to all this, it is plain he did not intend to
perform the same. All was artifice and dissimulation.

For, en the Saturday before the king left Breda, the minis-
ters, who were commissioners for the church, having intelli-
gence that his Majesty intended next day to communicate kneel-
ing, went to him and shewed him the sin of so doing ; how it
would provoke God to blast all his designs, was inconsistent
with his concessions, and would confirm some, who were of
opinion that he was only dallying with God and them. They
left him, to think of wdiat they had said, till after supper ; and,
when they returned, they found him fixed in his resolution.
He said, His father used always to communicate at Christmas,
Easter and Whitsunday, and he behoved to do so likewise 5 and
that people would think strange of him, if, having resolved to
communicate, he should forbear it, and that he djd it to pro-
cure a blessing from God on his intended voyage. In short, all
they said could not prevail, so that in elfect his Majesty broke
the treaty before he left Breda.

The King embarked, and besides the commissioners, was at-
tended by Duke Hamilton, the Earl of Lauderdale, and other
Malignants, so that Mr Livingston had no inclination to go
abroad ; for hj says, that he thought, both in regard to the
profane Malignant company, and who matters stood in the
treaty, they were taking the plague of God with them to Scot-
land ; and therefore he chose to go back to Rotterdam, and
come home with the first opportunity. However, under some
pretence used to decoy him, he was got abroad, and the King
arrived in the mouth of the Spey on the 23d of June. There
had been debates during the passage concerning the Kii>g'3
taking the Covenants, to which he seemed refractory : however,
at last, he declared his willingness. Mr Livingston would fain
have had the King's swearing postponed, because he did not
look upon him to be sincere, but the rest urged, that it would
give great oflence if the King's offer of swearing the Covenant
should be rejected.

44 INTRODUCTION.

Mr Livingston, not being able to get this affair delayed, was
prevailed with to preach on the occassion ; which having done,
he distinctly read the National Covenant, and Solemn League
and covenant. His Majesty standing, and lifted up his right
hand, swore the same in presence of the commissioners and
others, in the following words subjoined to both Covenants.

« T CHARLES King of Great Britain France, and Ireland,

< J[_ do assure and declare, by my solemn oath, in the pre-

< sence of the Almighty God the searcher of hearts, my allovv-

< ance and approbation of the national Covenant, r.nd of the

< Solemn Lengue and covenant above written, and faithfully

< oblige myself to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and ,

< calling ; and that I, for myself and successors, shall consent
« and agree to all acts of parliament enjoining the National
* Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant, and fully esta-

< blished Presbyterial government, the directory of worship, the

< Confession of Faith, and Catechisms in the kingdom of Scot-

< land, i.s they are approven by the general assembly of this kirk
« and parliament of this kingdom, And that I shall give my

< royal assent to the acts of pailiamcnt enjoining the same in
« the rest of my dominions, and that I shall observe them in

< my ov/n practice and family, and shall never make opposition

< to any of these, or endeavour any change thereof.'

And immediately subscribed the same. We shall see what
regard he paid to this. However, for the present, he acted his
part as well as he could, and submitted to every thing required,
even to part with Hamilton, Lauderdale and others. But all
this was against the grain. He had an inward aversion to every
thing that looked like strictness in religion, and was uneasy at
the faithful reproofs he received from time to time.

But while these things were a-doing in Scotland, the parlia-
ment of England recalled Croniv.'ell from Ireland to take the
command of an army which was to act against the King. Ac-
cordingly, about the middle of July, that general was at the
head of an English army, consisting of eighteen or nineteen
thousand men, and marched to the frontiers of Scotland, where
he published his manifesto.

At this time both church and state were taking measures for
the farther security of their religion and liberties, from any en-
croachments that might be made by the young King •, accord-
ingly the commission of the assembly made the following act at
the West-kirk of Edinburgh, which I shall here insert.

West-kirky August 13, 1(S50, ' The commission of the gene-

< ral assembly, con&idering that there may be just ground of

< stumbling, from the King's Majesty's refusing to subscribe

INTRODUCTION. 45

( and emit the declaration offered to him by the committee of

< estates and the commission of the general assembly, concern-
f ing his former carriage and resolutions for the future, in re-

< ference to the cause of God, and the enemies and friends

< thereof, doth therefore declare, that this kirk and kingdom

< doth not own or espouse any malignant party, or quarrel or
« interest, but that they fight merely upon their former grounds

< and principles, and in defence of the cause of God, and of
t the kingdom, as they have done these twelve years past •, and
« therefore, as they disclaim all the sin and guilt of the King,
« and of his house, so they will not own him nor his interest,

< otherwise than with a subordination to God, and so far as he

* owns and prosecutes the cause of God, and disclaims his and

< his father's opposition to the work of God, and to the Cove-

* nant, and likewise all the enemies thereof; and that they

< will, with convenient speed, take into consideration the pa-

* pers lately sent unto them by Oliver Cromwell, and vindicate

< themselves from all the falsehoods contained therein, especi-

< ally in those things wherein the quarrel betwixt us and that

< party is mis-stated, as if we owned the late King's proceed-

< ings, and were resolved to prosecute and maintain his present

< Majesty's interest, before and without acknowledgment of

< the sin of his house and former ways, and satisfaction to

* God's people in both kingdoms. ALEX. KER.»
The same day, August the 13th, 1650, < The committee of

< estates having seen and considered a declaration of the com-

* mission of the genei'al assembly anent the stating of the quar-

* rel wherein the army is to fight, do approve the same, and

* heartily concur therein. ' ALEX. HENDERSON.'
These were doubtless things of hard digestion with his Ma-
jesty, especially as at this time all his thoughts were bent to
get in his old friends the Hamiltonian and Malignant faction ;
but he could not make the attempt now, for Cromwell was
coming against him, and both church and state had declared
themselves very plainly ; wherefore Charles, the better to dis-
guise his intentions, emits a most remarkable declaration froni
Dunfermline, on the 16th of August 1650, of which I give the
following extract, as far as it relates to his former oath.

CHARLES R.

* T-JI^ Majesty taking into consideration that merciful dispen-
<-■--'- sation, — by which he hath been recovered out of the

< snare of evil council, — doth, in reference to his former de-

* portments, and to his resolutions for the future, declare as.

* follows :

* Though his Majesty, as a dutiful son, be obliged to honour
' the memory of his royal father, and have in estimation the

< perspn of his mother, yet doth he desire to be deeply hum-

46 INTRODUCTION.

< bled — before God, because of his father's hearkening to and
« following evil counsels, and his opposition to ti;e Work of

< Reformation, and to the Solemn League and Covenant, —

* and for tiie idolatry of his mother, the toleration of which in

< the King's house, — could not but be a high provocation to

* him, xvbo is a jealous Gody visiting ike iniquities of the fathers itp^

< on the children. And albeit his Majesty might extenuate his

< former carriage and actions, in following the advice, and walk-

< ing in the way cf those who are opposite to the Covenant and
« to ihe work of God, — yet knowing that he hath to do with

< God, he doth ingenuously acknowledge all his own sins, and

< all the sir.s cf his father's house, craving pardon, and hoping

* formercv and reconciliation, through the bloodofjeius Christ. —
* And his Majesty having, upon the full persuasion of the

* justice and equity of all the heads and articles thereof, row

* sworn and subscribed the National Covenant, — and the So-

* lemn League and Covenant, — doth declare, that he hath not

* sworn and subscribed these Covenants and entered into the

* oath of God, with his people, upon any sinister intention and

* crooked design, for attaining his own ends, but so far as hu-

* m.an weakness will perm.it, in the tru.h and sincerity of his

* heart, and that he is firmly resolved, in the Lord's strength,

* to adhere lliereto, and to prosecute, to the utmost of hispow-

* er, the ends thereof in his station and calling, really, constant-
« ly and sincerely, all the days of his life. In order to which,
.« he doth, in the first place, profess and declare, that he will

* have no enemies but the enemies of the Covenant, and — no
' friends but the friends of the Covenant ; and therefore, as he
« doth now detest and abhor all Popery, supcrstlLicn and idoia-

* try, together with Prelacy and all errors, licrcsy and schism

* and profaneness, and resolves not to tolerate, much less allow

< any of iliese. In any part of his IMajesty's dominions, but to

< oppose himself thereto, and to endeavour the extirpation there-

* of to the utmost cf his power : so doth he as a Christian ex-
« iiort, and as a king require, all such of his subjects as have
' stood in opposition to the iSolemn League and Covenant, and

* Work of Reformation, upon a pretence cf kingly interest, or
« any other pretext whatsoever, to lay down their enmity against
« the CTusc and people of God, and to cease to prefer the in-
' terest cf man to the interest of God, which hath been one of
'^ those things wliich hath occasioned many troubles — and, be-
' ing insi; t d in, will be so far from establishing the King's
' throne, tliat it will prove an idol of jealousy to provoke — him
' who is Kijig cf kings, and Lord of lords. 'J he King shall al-
' ways esteem them best servants and m.ost loyal subjects, who

' serve him and seek his greatness in a right line of subordina-
;iving '.itUo God the tliugs that ::re God's, and uiito

INTRODUCTION. 47

* Cesar the things that are Cesar^s ; and resolvetli not to love or

* countenance any who have so little conscience and piety, as

* to follow his interest with a prejudice to the gospel and the

* kingdom of Je^us Christ, which he looks not upon as a duty,

* but as flattery, and driving of self-designs, under pretence of

* retaining royal authority and greatness.

« Given at our court at Dunfermline, Aug. 16, 1650, and
< in the second year of our reign.'

Now, who can compare these solemn oaths and protestations
with this prince's after conduct without horror, both on account
of his wicked dissimulation and horrid perjury ? It is alleged,
that the necessity of his affairs forced him to these compliances.
But surely he was one that had no sense of religion, in being
capable of mocking God in this manner. When ihe Rev. Mr
Gillespie put the pen in his hand, to subscribe the above declar-
ation, he told him, « That, if he was not satisfied in his soul
' and conscience, beyond all hesitation of the righteousness of
' the subscription, he was so far from over- driving him to run

* upon that for which he had no delight, that he obtested him,

* yea, charged him in his Master's name, not to subscribe that

* declaration, no not for the three kingdoms.* To which the
King ansv.'ered, < Mr Gillespie, Mr Gillespie, I am satisfied,

< I am satisfied, and therefore will subscribe it.' Tlie truth is,
Charles could swallow any thing ; for notwithstanding the
above declaration, measures were, at this time, concerting for
bringing the enemies of the Covenant both inro the army and
judicatures, and to divide the Presbyterians among themselves.

We have seen how Cromv/ell invaded the country. A good
army was raised against him under the command of General
Lesly, but it was intirely routed by Cromv/ell at Dunbar on the
third of September. The King was pleased at this defeat of
his subjects ; for nov/ he thought he v/ould have an opportu-
nity of accomplishing his design of getting the Hamiltonians and
Jtlalignants both into his armies and counsels; Clarendon had
a strange remark upon this. « Never, says he, was victory ob-
« tained with less lamentation ; for as Crcmwell had great ar-

* gument of triumph, so the King was glad of it, as the greatest

< happiness that could befal him, in the loss of so strong a body

* of his enemies.' So that, according to the noble histcrian, his
Majesty looked upon his subjects as his enemies.

As the King was well received by the Marquis of Argyle, so
he professed, at this time, a great regard for his lordship, as ap-
pears from the following letter and declaration under his own
hand, which I cannot but insert, that the reader may bce what
regard his Majesty l.T.d afterward to hi? royal promises ?.n^v en-
gagements.

48 liNTRODUCTION.

TTAVING taken into my consideration the faithful endeav-
-*•-■- our3 of the Marquis of Argyle, for restoring n;c to my just

< rights, and the happy settHng of my dominions, I am desirous
f to let the world see how sensible I am of his real respect to me,

< by some particular marks of my favour to him, by which they

< may see the trust and confidence which I repose in him j and,

< particuhily, I do promise, that I will make him Duke of Ar-

< gyle and knight cf the garter, and one of the gentlemen of my

< bed-chamber, and this to be performed when he shall it think

< fit. And I do further promise him to hearken to his counsels
t (worn out) — Whenever it shall please God to restore me

< to my just rights in England, I shall see him paid the forty

< thousand pounds sterling, which is due to him. All which I
* do promise to make good upon the word of a King.

St Johnstoun, * CHARLES R/

24 th Sept. 1660.

We shall afterwards see how these fine things were per-
formed.

After the battle of Dunbar it was proposed that the restraints,
should be taken off, by wJiich the malignants were hindered from
serving his Majesty. This was at first refused ; but the defeat
at Hamikcn, falling out in a little time, was made a new argu-
ment for admitting of Malignants into the army, because, as was
alleged, the present standing forces were not suflicient for the
defence of the kingdom, unless all the fencible men, without
distinction, were raised. The King therefore wrote from Perth,
where the parliament then sat, to the moderator of the commis-
sion, desiring him to call a commUs'ion, pro re nata^ to give their
judgment in this matter. The opposcrs of the resolutions al-
leged. That many members had no notice, and tliat the time
for meeting was so soon after the notice, that the members could
not attend.

When a quorwm of the commission was met at Perth, the
parliament inquired, « What persons are to be admitted to rise

* in arms, and to join with the forces of the kingdom, and iu
« what capacity for defence thereof, against the armies of the

* sectaries, who, contr.iry to the Solemn League and Covenant,
' and treaties, have most unjustly invaded, and are destroying

* tlie kingdom ?'

The commission, on the l^th of December 1650, answered,

* In this case of so great and evident necessity, we cannot be a-

* gainst raising all fencible persons in the land, and permitting

* them to light against this enemy, for the defence of the king-
' dom, excepting such as are excommunicated, forfeited, noto-

* riously profane or flagitious ; or such as have been, from the
' beginning, or continue still, and are at this time, obstinate and

INTRODUCTION. 49

< professed enemies and opposers of the Covenant and cause of
« God. And for the capacity of acting, that the estates of par-

* liament ought to have, as we hope they will have, special care

* that, in this so general a concurrence of all the people of the

* kingdom, none be put in such trust and power, as may be pre-

* judicial to the cause of God ; and that such officers as are of

* known integrity and affection to the cause, and particularly

< such as have suffered in our former armies, may be taken

* special notice of.'

Upon this answer some of the most considerable malignants
were employed in the army. Some of the general officers, and
more than half the colonels, were of this stamp, and not a few
of them had been with Montrose : but their proceedings were
very offensive to many ministers and presbyteries, particularly
those of Stirling and Aberdeen. The Rev. Mr James Guthrie
and Mr David Bennet, ministers at Stirling, in conjunction
with the rest of that presbytery, wrote to the commission at
their next meeting, declaring their dissatisfaction with their
resolutions, which was likewise done by many other presby-
teries. These two ministers spoke their mind with freedom
and plainness, and preached against the public resolutions, as
involving the land in a conjunction witli the Malignant party.

About the end of this year matters were brought to that pass,
that a considerable number of noblemen, gentlemen, and others,
was to rise and form themselves into an army under Middle-
ton's command, and the King was to throw himself into their
arms. Accordingly all of a sudden, he withdrew from St John-
stoun, and repaired to the place appointed. But not finding
things to answer his expectation, he returned to St Johnstoun,
with Major-general Montgomery, whom the committee of estates
had sent after him. This was a plain proof that all his Majesty's
compliances were insincere Middleton was excommunicated
by the commission of the general assembly, and the sentence
was pronounced by the said Mr James Guthrie : however, the
commission, at their next meeting, took it off.

Meanwhile, on the 1st of January 1651, King Charles II. was
crowned at Scoon ; the noble Marquis of Argyll put the crown
upon his Majesty's head. After an excellent and suitable ser-
mon preached by the Rev. Mr Douglas, from 2 Kings xi. 12,
17. the solemnity began with the King's most solemn renew-
ing of the National and Solemn League and Covenant, in this
manner. The King kneeled and lifted Up his right-hand, be-
fore the three estates of the kingdom, the commissoners of the
general assembly, and all the congregation, and by his solemn
oath, in presence of the almighty God, the searcher of hearts,
he assured and declared his allowance of the National Covenant
and Solemn League and Covenant, promising faithfully to
prosecute the entU thereof, and to -egtablish the same with t;-»e

VOL. J, D ■

50 INTRODUCTION.

presbyterlal government, and the whole work of God in all the
dominions. Then he was presented to the people, and the
question was put, Whether they were willing to have him for
their King, and submit to his authority ? They expressed
their willingness by saying, God save King Charles II. After
this he took the coronation oath ; and, when the sword was put
into his hands, he was desired to receive the same for the defence
of the faith of Jesus Christ, and of the true religion, according
to the Covenants, and for the ministration of justice, &c. which
he accepted accordingly. Just before the crown was set upon
his head, the minister prayed. That . the Lord would purge the
crown from the sins and ttansgressions of them that did reign
before him : that it might be a pure crovc n : that God would set
the crown upon the King's head, &c. and then the Marquis set
the crown on his head. Upon this the nobleman came, one
by one, and kneeling with their hand touching the crown,
swore by the eternal and almighty God, to be true and faithful
subjects, according to the National Covenant and Solemn
League and Covenant. Then the people's obligatory oath was
proclaimed, whereby they all swore, by the eternal and almighty
God, who livcth and reigneth for ever and ever, to be true and
faithful to the King, according to the National and Solemn
League and Covenant. Being after this installed and set upon
the throne, the minister exhorted him to remember that his
throne is the Lord's throne, 1 Chron. xxix. 23. And, being
a covenanted King, he ought, under God, to rule for God; and
especially that he made not the Lord's throne a throne of ini-
quity to frame mischief by a law, even such mischievous laws
us had been enacted by his predecessors, destructive to religion,
and greivous to the Lord's people. Then the nobles, being
called one by one, and kneeling before the King on the throne,
and holding their hands between his hands, swore by the eter-
nal and almighty God, who liveth and reigneth for ever and
ever, to be true and faithful to the King, according to the
National and Solemn League and Covenant. The solemnity
was concluded with a solid and pertinent exhortation, both to
the King and people, to keep the Covenant, and beware of
breaking it ; and both King and nobles were certified that if
the King, and they who were engaged to support his crown,
shall conspire together against the kingdom of Jesus Christ,
both the supporters and supported should fall together.

This was a very solemn action, and all the solemnities of it
were so interwoven with the Covenants, that it must be ac-
knowledged, that never King and people under tlie sun could
be more strictly bound to God, and to one another, than these
were \ but his Majesty, notwithstanding all these oaths and de-
clarations, still persisted in his desigi\ of g^-stingthe Malignants

INTRODUCTION. 81

into the judicatures, as he had got them into the army. And, as
Mr James Guthrie and Mr David Bennet, preached openly and.
faithfully against the public resolutions, so, in the month of
February, the chancellor, by a letter, ordered them both to re-
pair to Perth, on the 19th, and to answer, before the King arid
the committee of estates, for the letter to the commission and
their doctrine. The two ministers, on account of the indisposi-
tion of one of them, excused their appearing on that day, but
promised to attend about the end of the week. Accordingly,
on the 22d of February they appeared at Perth, but gave in a
protestation, signifying, that though they paid all due regard to"
his Majesty's civil authority, yet they did not acknowledge his
Majesty or their Lordships, as proper judges of their doctrine j
or of what concerned their ministerial calling j that being the
province of the judicatories of the church. This matter was
put off for some days, till the King's return from Aberdeen,
and in the mean time, the two ministers were confined to Perth
and Dundee ; whereupon, February 28th, they presented a se-
cond paper, containing a protestation to the same purpose with
the former, though in stronger termis, and supported by a great
many excellent arguments. After these protestations the King
and the committee of estates thought proper to dismiss the two
ministers, and to proceed no farther in this affair. However,
we shall find that Mr Guthrie's declining the King's authority
at this time, in matters ecclesiastical, was made a principal arti-
cle in his indictment ten years after this.

Mean Mobile the commission of the assembly, finding their
answer to the parliament's questions censured and condemned,
published a warning, and a large answer to the letter from the
presbytery of Stirling, in their own vindication. This occasion-
ed many debates, especially as all ministers and preachers were,,
by the commission, discharged to speak or write against these
resolutions. And an act was made, ordaining presbyteries to
proceed with the censures of the kirk, against those who should
oppose them ; and the copy of another act was transmitted to
presbyteries, ordaining those who opposed the resolutions to be
cited to the next assembly at St Andrews : by which means
many of these were prevented from being members of the as-
sembly.

It is easy to see how agreeable this was to his Majesty, who
notwithstanding his being a covenanted King, and swore to
maintain and promote Presbyterial government, yet hated Pres-
bytery, and would be glad of every thing that tended to its
overthrow. Accordingly, while these things were a-doing, the
gentlemen, who, by means of the former resolutions, had got
into the army, next wanted to get into the judicatures, from
which ih?Y were excluded by the act of clashes. In order,.

2

52 INTRODUCTION^.

therefore, to get thisaet rescinded, the king and parliament pro-
posed the following question to the commission of the general
assembly, < Whether or not it be sinful and unlawful, for the

* more effectual prosecution of the public resolutions, for the
< defence of the cause of the King and the kingdom, to admit
« such to be members of the committee of estates, who are now

* debarred from the public trust, they being such as have satis-

* fied the kirk for the offence for which they were excluded,

* and are since admitted to enter into covenant with us ?*

The commission delaying their answer, on the 3d of April
the moderator received a letter from the King and parliament,
desiring the commission to meet at Perth on the l7th, not only
to give a positive answer to the last query, but their judgment
and resolutions, if it be sinful and unlawful to repeal the act of
classes j arid on the 23d they received another letter to the same
purpose.

To both which the commission, after some previous cautian?^
imswered, * As for the Solemn League and Covenant, the so-
« lemn acknowledgment and engagement, and former declara-

* tions emitted by this church, (which are set down as grounds

* in the narrative of the act of classes) we find they do not par-

< ticularly determine any definite measure of time, of excluding

* persons from places of trust for by-past offences, but only

* bind and oblige accordingly to punish offenders, as the degree

< of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme ju-

< dicatures of the kingdom, or others having power from them

< for that effect, shall judge convenient, to purge all judicatures
« and places of power and trust, and to endeavour that they

* may consist of, and be filled with such men as are of known

< good affection to the cause of God, and of a blameless Chris-
« tian conversation, (which is a moral duty commended in the

* word of God, and of perpetual obligation) so that nothing,

< upon the account of those grounds, doth hinder but that per-

* sons, formerly debarred from places of power and trust for

< their offences, may be admitted to be members of the com-

* mittee of estates, and the censures inflicted upon them by the

* act of classes, may be taken off and rescinded, without sin, by

* the parliament, in whose power it is to lengthen or shorten

< the times of their censures, as they shall find just and nece#-
« sary, providing they be men that have satisfied the kirk fov
« their offences, have renewed and taken the Covenant, and be

* qualified for such places, according to the qualifications re-
« quired in the word of God, and expressed in the solemn ac-

* knowledgment and engagement, Ike.*'

Upon this answer, the act of classes, in all its articles, was
ic'pealedi so that great numbers formerly excluded were brought
into parliament, nominated as members of the committee of

INTRODUCTION. 5$

estates, and made capable of places of trust ; and in a little
time the bulk of the malignant party got the management of all
into their own hands.

I'hese resolutions and proceedings gave great offence to many
godly and eminent ministers, and even to some presbyteries.
As they who adhered to the resolutions, were called Besolutlon-
ersy and Protestors so the opposers of them were called Anti.re.
solutioners. ' On the one hand it was said, that every govern-
« ment might call out all that were under its protection to its

* defence. This seemed foundedjon the law of nature and na*
' tions. And, if men had been misled, it was a strange cruelty
« to deny room for repentance : this was contrary to the nature

* of God and to the gospel, and was a likely mean to drive them

* to despair.' — But the Protesters objected, < That, to take men

< of known enmity to thecause, was a sort of betraying it, because

* it was putting it in their power to betray it : that, to admit
« them to a profession of repentance, was a profanation and a
« mocking of God. It was visible they were willmg to comply,

* though against their conscience, only to get into the army, nor
« could they expect a blessing from God on an army so consti-

< tuted.' And, says the bishop, this mockjpenitence was indeed
a matter of great scandal. And the following history will abun-
dantly shew, that the protestors were not out in their sentiments 5
for these men afterwards did betray tbe cause, and persecuted
those that maintained it. *

However, when the parliament met, they thought proper, in
the month of June, to ratify all the preceding treaties, tran-
sactions, engagements and actions concluded and enacted by
the king, whereby the same did pass into a perpetual law. And
it was expresly provided, his Majesty being present, * That in

< all succeeding parliaments, every member, before they en-

< tered upon business, should sign and subscribe the Cove-

< nant, and without this the constitution of the parliament, and

< all they do, is declared void and null.' Thus the Covenant
bscame at last a fundamental constitution of the kingdom. Mr
Wodrow says, that the acts of this parliament were not printed,
(as indeed that could scarce, in the then unsettled state of the
kingdom, and especially of the court, be obtained) but that,
from persons then alive, and several papers still extant, he was
fully assured that such an act was made.

The general assembly met at St Andrews in July, when the
Anti-resolutioners protested against the lawfulness of the as-
sembly. Three of the subscribers were, after citation, deposed,
and one suspended, and the actings of the commission approved.

Soon after this, the king and his army marched into England,
and on the 3d of September 1651, were totally routed at Wor-
cester, his Majesty mo?^ narrowly escaping. By this blow his

5* INTRODUCTION.

affairs were reduced to such an extremity, that he found him-
self obliged to remove from the kingdom, which with difRculty
he accomplished, and retired to France. In the mean time,
General Monk, who was left in Scotland, quickly reduced that
kingdom to the obedience of the English republic.

Soon after this, the just privileges of the church were infrin-
ged and commissioners, chiefly of the Independent persuasio«,
were sent into Scotland to visit the universities, and to settle ati
unlimited toleration and liberty of conscience, inconsistent with
their ecclesiastical constitution, and contrary to the Covenants.
On the 26th of July 1652, a declaration was presented to the
assembly in favour of the congregational discipline, and for li-
berty of conscience -, but the faithful members (whomMrNeal,
in derision, calls the stuhbom assembly men) instead of yielding
to the declaration, gave in a protestation against it. When the
assembly met at Edinburgh next summer, and were just enter*,
ing upon business. Lieutenant-colonel Cotterel went into the
church, and standing upon one of the benches, told them that
no ecclesiastical judicatures were to sit there, unless by authority
of the parliament of England j and, without giving them leave
to reply, he commanded them to retire, and conducted them
out of the west-gate of the city with a troop of horse and a
company of foot, and enjoined them not to assemble any more
above three in a company. In like manner, on the 10th of
April 1655, the synod of Perth and Stirling was no sooner met
at Dumblain, but it was dissolved, in a violent manner, by open
force, (of which I have an account from the registers transmitted
to me by a reverend minister of that synod ;) for one Lieutenant
Belvin came with a band of soldiers, and commanded thei^i to
dismiss, alledging that he had orders from his superiors. But
though the synod desired to see them, yet he absolutely refused,
and, upon their demurring and delaying to obey orders, the
soldiers laid hands on them and thrust them violently out of
the church. Thus were the liberies of the church invaded.

Mean while the unhappy difference between the Resolutioners
and Protestors still went on, till at last, in the years i5oo and
1656, conferences were agreed on for an union, and the matter
was carried up to London before Oliver Cromwell, who had u-
surped the government, and was declared protector, but without
effect. However, both Resolutioners and Protestors ogreed in
this, that they were enemies to the usurpation, and loyal to the
king, though it was not yet in their power to cpntribute any
thing to his restoration, which they sincerely wished ifor upon
proper terms. But as they had little reason for their zeal in
behalf of his interest, so they were ill rewarded for it, as shall
be afterwards shewn.
' For, when the king arrived in Fiance, he immediately threw

INTRODUCTION. 55

oiTthe mask of a Presbyterian, and never went once to the Prq.
testant church at Charenton, though they invited him in the
most respectful manner ; but Lord Clarendon dissuaded him,
because the Hugonots had not been hearty in his interest, and
because it might look disrespectful to the old church of England.
But the truth is, the court, not having a prospect of the king's
restoration by the Presbyterians, turned their pyes to the Roman
Catholics, and many of the king's retinue changed their religion,
as appears by the legends ligneoy published about this time, with
a list of fifty-three new converts, among whom were several
names In red capitals, not to mention the king himself, of whom
Father Huddleston, his confessor, writes in his treatise, intitledj
A short and plain ivay to the faith of the churchy published 168,5,
that he put it into the kings hand in his retirement ; and that,
when his Majesty had read it, he declared he did not see how it
could be answered. Bishop Burnet says, * Before King Charles

< left Paris, (which was in June 1654,) he changed his religion,

* but by whose persuasion is not yet known, only Cardinal de

< Retz was in the secret, and Aubigny had a great hand in it.

< Chancellor Hide had some suspicion of it, but would not suf-

* fer himself to believe it quite. Sir Allen Broderick, when on
« his death-bed, sent Doctor Burnet an account of this matter,

< which he beheved was done in Fountainbleau before King

* Charles was sent to Colen.' And it is certain, says Mr Neal,
tliat he was reconciled to the church of Rome this year (1659)
at the Pyrenean treaty concluded between France and Spain,
whither he had repaired incognito to engage them in his interest.
Here the King staid twenty days, in which time he, with the
Earl of Bristol, and Sir H. Bennet, embraced the Roman Ca-
tholic religion ; so that this covenanted King broke all his so^
lemn engagements, and turned Papist before his restoration.
However, his Majesty, rightly judging that it was not his in-
terest to avouch what he had done, by making an open pro-
fession of Popery, as his brother afterv/ards did, still pi^etendcd
to be a Protestant himself, and to have a real concern for the
Protestant religion.

After Cromwell's death, which happened Septembers, 16.58,
things went pretty smooth, till the King, upon his return, de-
clared his displeasure v/ith the opposers of the Re;iolutions,
some of whorr^ were among the first of the sullcrets in the
tragical period of which I am to treat, while other honest Pres-
byterians were afterwards made partakers v/ith them.

Mean while England was embroiled in confusions. In April
16j9, Richard the young protector dissolved his parliament,
and soon after was himself obliged to resign ; after which mat-
ters took a new turn almost every month, till at last the whole
government was managed hv a committe of cafctv, ap,nr;inted by

56 INTRODUCTION.

the ofBcers of the army ; so that the English nation became sick
of these changes, and willing to prefer any government to the
present anarchy. Many of the gentry, therefore,' from several
parts, sent letters to General Monk, inviting him to march his
army into England to obtain a free parliament-

Monk managed every thing in Scotland, apprehended and
imprisoned the Earls Marshal, Montrose, Eglinton, Selkirk,
Glencairn and Loudon, Lord Montgomery, Lieutenant-general
David Leslie, Viscount of Kenmure, Lord Lorn, Earl of Sea*,
forth, Sir James Lumsden, Colonel James Hay, Earl of Kelly,
Major Livingston, and Earl of Rothes. Such of them as took
the tender, and gave bond for their peaceable behaviour, v/cre
set at liberty. Hovtever, the general had a great share in the
restoration of the royal family, which was now approaching.

In Scotland, the Rev. Mr Robert Douglas was the first, says
my author, as far as he could find, who adventured to propose
the King's restoration to General Monk. It is said he travelled
incogrAto in England and in Scotland, engaged considerable num-
bers of noblemen and gentlemen in this project.

On the ]9th of October the general assembled all the officers
of the army in Scotland, and engaged them by oath to submit
to and serve the parliament, cashiered all he suspected, and ma-
naged every thing according to his own mind, and then resolv-
ed to march up with his army to England, and restore the pii-
vileges of parliament. Before he departed, he ordered the com-
missioners of shires, magistrates of burghs, and many of the
nobility, to meet him at Edinburgh They assembled in the
parliament- house, November 15. He told them that he was
to march to England to re-establish the liberties of parliament,
and recommend to them to maintain the peace, and suppress all
risings' and commotions during his absence.

On the 22d he niarched towards England, and when at Had-
dington, received articles from the council in England. B*it
these not pleasing him, he returned with his oEcers to Edin-
burgh. Mr. Douglas met him, and interceeded with him to at-
tempt the restoration. After consultation, he and his officers
rejected the articles, as contrary to their principles, wjiich were
to be governed not by the sword, but by a parliament lawfully
called, in the maintenance of which they were Engaged by oath.
Accordingly he returned his answer on the Cith, and on the 2d
of December he marched with his army to Berwick, where he
continued some time. On the i2th he seht orders to the com-
inissioners of the shires for keeping the peace during his' i;bsence.

About tliis time Portsmouth and part of the fleet revolted, and
declared for a free parliament, as did several detachments of the
army, which made way for Monk's entering into England. The
ccrrjmittcc of rafety, seeing all things in confusion, resigned

INTRODUCTION. ST

their authority, and restored the parliament, which met on the
26th December, and named a committee to govern the army in
their name, and under their direction.

Monk entered England with his army, Januarys, 1660, an d
some days after received a letter from the speaker, thanking him
for his kind intentions, and insinuating, that he might save him-
self the trouble of coming to London, since the parliament was
in peaceable possession of their authority : but this did not in-
terrupt his march, since he designed a new, as well as a free
parliament.

While matters were thus carrying on for bringing about the
King's restoration, Mr David Dickson and Mr Robert Douglas,
jn their letter to general Monk, dated January 10, 1660, sig-
nified their entire confidence in him as to the affairs of Scotland
and the necessity of one from them to be near his person, to put
him in mind of what should be necessary, and to acquaint them
with the state of things from time to time. Accordingly they
desired his pass for Mr James Sharp : but, before the receipt of
this, the general ordered Mr Auditor Thomson to write from
York to Mr Sharp, and, in his name, to desire him to under-
take a winter-journey, and come to him, at London, with all
speed J and, on the 17th, wrote to Messrs. Dickson and Doug-
las, assuring them, that the welfare of their church should be a
great part of his care and that he had sent a pass for Mr Sharp.

"When the general got to Harborough, commissioners came
to him from London, on the 23d, with an address to desire tlie
re-admission of the members secluded, 1648 •, and, as he continu-
ed his march, he received many addresses of the like nature :
at last he entered the city of London, in a sort of triumpl^ on
the 3d of February, 1770, After he had given orders for quar-
tering his troops, he repaired to the council of state, but was re-
fused admittance till he had taken the oath of abjuration, re-
nouncing the King's title to the crovvn, and engaging to be faith-
ful to the parliament and commonwealth.

On the 6th of February he went to the parliament, where,
by the mouth of the speaker, he received the thanks of the
House for his many services. He returned the compliment,
and told them, among other things, that as he marched from
Scotland, several applications had been made to him for a free
and full parliament, and that they would determine the time
of their sitting, and likewise for the admittance of the members
secluded before the year 1648, Vv'ithout any previous oath or
engagement. And proceeded the general, ' I must say, witk
< pardon of you, that the less oaths and engagements are im-

* posed (with respect had to the security of the common cause)

* your settlement will be the sooner attained to.' And, after
he had recomended the case of Ireland he proceeds, « As fof

S8 INTRODUCTION.

« Scotland, I must say, the people of that nation deserve to be

< cherished : and I believe your late declarrtion will much glad

< their spirits ; for nothing was to them more dreadful than a

* fear of being over run with fanatic notions.'

The same day that Monk was conducted to the parliament,
several ministers met at Edinburgh, and agreed to send up Mr
Sharp to take care of the affairs of the church of Scotland.
His instructions were these :

1. * You are to use youjr utmost endeavours, that the kirk of

< Scotland may, without interruption or encroachment, enjoy

< the freedom and privileges of her established judicatures,
'ratified by the laws of the land. 2. Whereas, by the late
« toleration, which is established, a door is opened te very

* many gross errors and loose practices in this church, you

< shall therefore use all lawful and prudent means to represent

* the sinfulness and ofFensiveness thereof, that it may be time-

< ously remedied. 3. You are to represent the prejudice the

* church doth sufler by the interverting of the vaking stipends,

* which by law were dedicated to pious uses, and seriously en-

* deavour, that hereafter vaking stipends, may be intromitted

* with by presbvteries, and such as shall be waranted by them,

* and no others, to be disposed of and applied to pious uses, ac-

* cording to the 20th act of the parliament IC^i. 4. You are

* to endeavour that ministers, lawfully called and admitted by

< presbyteries to the ministry, may have th.e benefit of the 39th
« act of parliament, intitled, Act anent iibolishlng patronages,
« for obtaining summarily, upon the act oi their admission, de-

< crcet and letters conform, and other executorials, to the effect

* they may get. the right and possession of their stipends, and
'.other benefits, without any other address or trouble. If you

* find that there will be any commission appointed in this na-

< tion, for settling and augmenting of ministers stipends, then

* you are to use your utmost endeavours to have faithful men,

* well affected to the interests of Christ and his church, em-

* ployed therein.' These instructions, directed to Mr James
Sharp, were subscribed by Messrs David Dickson, Robert
Douglas, James Wood, John Smith, George Hutchison and
Andrew Kcr. On the JSth, Mr Sharp arrived at London, m^
with a kind reception from Mr Manton, and had immediate ac-
cess to the general, who recommended him to Sir Anthony
Ashly Cowper and Mr Weaver, two members of parliament.
But instead of following the instructions he received from his
constituents, he treacherously betrayed that very cause he was
sent to promote.

On the2Istof February Monk repaired to WHiitehal!, at-
tended by the secluded members, who were mostly Pre.>by-
tcrianSj having made them previously to subscribe these fcvir

INTRODUCTION. 59^

articles, 1. To settle the conduct of the armies, so as might
best secure the peace of the commonwealth. 2. To pi-ovide
for the support of the forces by sea and land, and money for
their arrears, and the other contingencies of the government.
3. To constitute a council of state for the civil government of
Scotland and Ireland ; and to issue out writs for the summon-
ing a parliament to meet at Westminster on the 25th of April.
And, 4f. To consent to their own dissolution, by a time that
should be limited to them. But all this while the better to dis-
guise his real design, still professed himself to be against the re ,
storation.

When the secluded members took their place in the house*
they were superior in number to the rump, and so carried aP
before them. They annulled the engagement of 1649, — re-
pealed the oath of abjuration of Charles Stuart, — ordered tlie
Earls of Crawford and Lauderdale to be set at liberty, — agreed
to a bill, March the 2d, for the approbation of public ministers,
and named Mr Manton, and several others of the Presbyterian
persuasion for that service, which passed into an act March the
14th They declared for the assembly's Confession of Faith, re-
sterving the 30th and 31st chapters for fartlier consideration, de-
claring it to be the public Confession of Faith of the church of
England ; and the same day ordered the Solemn League and Co-
venant to be reprinted, and set up in every church in England,
and read publicly by the minister once every year. And thus
the re-establishment of presbytery, with the Solemn League and
Covenant, was judged necessary for bringing in the King.
After this the long parliament passed an act for their own dis-
solution, and for the calling a new parliament to meet the 25th
of April i the candidates for which were to declare, under their
hands, « That the war against the late King was just and lawful,

* and that all who had assisted in any war against the par-

* liament, since January 1, ISil, they and their sons were

* made incapable of being elected, unless they had since mani-

* fested their good affecti'.n to the parliament.' Then chey ap-
pointed a new council of state, to t;:ke care of the governmicnt,
and on the 16th of March dissolved themselves, after they had
sat, with sundry intermissions, nineteen years, four m.onths,
and thirteen days.

All this time Sharp kept up his correspondence with Mr Dou-
glas, and acquaintedhim with occurences of the times, stili'pro-
fessing a zealous concern for the' interest cf precbytery, and for
the covenants. In his letter of tlie 4th of Marciihc named five,
whom he called nvarplng brethren^ and no friends to ti^e co-
venant-interest, and that the great fear is, that the Kuig will
come in, and that with hirn moderate Episcopacy, at the least,

60 INTRODUCTION.

\rill take place in England. But the Rev. Mr Douglas, in his
letter to Sharp of the 15th, says, among other things, * We
« know l>y experience that moderate Episcopacy (what can it
« be otherwise than bishops with cautions ?) is the ne.vt
< step to Episcopal tyranny, which will appear very soon above
« board, if that ground once be laid,' &c. But though Mr
Douglas insisted that commissoners should be s^nt from Scot-
land, yet Sharp in his answer, declared, that this M'ould be
neither for their reputation nor advantage ; and in another
letter after this, he says, < I continue in my opinion, thatScot-
* hvA should make no application till the King come in.' Thus
Sharp managed affairs.

The elections for the new parliament, or rather convention,
trcnt generally in favour of the Royalists ; and Mr Neal says,
that in fome places men were chosen v/ho had no religion at
all. They sat down on the 25th of April, and appointed the
30th to be observed as a fast. And the next day the King's de-
claration from Breda was read in the house, granting a gene-
ral pardon to all his subjects who should lay hold on it within
forty days, except such as should be accepted by parliament,
and declaring a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man
shall be disquieted or called in question, for differences of opin-
ion in matters in religion which do not disturb the peace of the
kingdom, Immediately after reading this declaration, the com-
mons voted, that, according to the ancient constitution, the
government of this kingdom is, and ought to be, by king, lords,
and commons ; that the king of Scotland is king of England,
&c. And a committee was appointed to draw up a dutiful
letter Inviting his Majesty to return to his dominions ; and a
<leputation of lords and commons was sent to convoy him home.
Thus the king was invhed back in a hurry, without any terms.

Mad the Presbyterians in Englan-d exerted them.selves, as they
might on this occasion, in all probability the miseries, that after-
wards came upon themselves and the whole nation, had been
prevent^jd. They h.id been kept under since 1648, and being
by this time weary of the Independents, and watchful to keep
all r.'publicans out of the parliament, they secretly courted the
Episcopalians, says Mr Neal, who dispersed papers among the
people, protesting their resolutions to forget all past injuries,
and to bury all rancor, malice, and animosities. In short, they
f ut that confidence in them, which afterwards turned out to
their own unspeakable d:sadvant?ge •, nay the majority of them
declared themselves satisfied to yield to a moderate Episcopacy,
according to the plan of Archbishop Usher ; but the churoli of
Scotland stood to tl^.cir principles.

In April and May the provincial synods met, and and there
fli^pcared a very good disposition towards making up the differ-

INTRODUCTION. Gl

ciices between the Resolutioners and Protestors, had not Mr
Sharp, by his letters from London, diverted this upon the King's
return, and put him and the managers about him upon begin-
ning the persecution, with attacking the Remonstrators or
Anti-resolutioners. For this vile apostate had a private piqae
against the Rev. Mr Samuel Rutherford, Mr James Guthrie,
Lord Warristoun, and othtrs of the protestors, and therefor^
put the government upon those measures we shall afterwards re-
late, by which all attempts for a reconciliation were rendered
abortive, till both were thrown into ths furnace together. Sharp
was joined in this by those noblemen w^ho could not bear the
scriptural strictness of the Presbyterian discipline and govern-
ment.

The synod of Lothian sat down on the 1st of May, when
Mr Douglas preached an excellent strmon from 2 Cor. iv. 1,
where he bore an excellent testimony against Prelacy, and warn-
ed his brethren against moderate Episeopacy ; for, says he,

< 'Tis a plant which God never planted, and the ladder whereby

* Antichrist mounted his throne ;' and farther observes, that
kingly government in the state, and presbyter ian in the church,
are the greatest curbs to profaneness ; . and so confuted that
foolish proposition, No Bishop, No King, He likewise bore
his testimony against sectarianism, which he compared to
quick-sands on the shore, which swallow up people before they
are aware.

The King was proclamed at London on the 4th of May, and
at Edinburgh on the Hth. Many at this time went to com-
pliment his Majesty : among others Sharp was sent, of whom
Dr Burnet writes thus : < He carried with him a letter from ths
« earl of Glencairn to Hyde, made soon after earl of Cis.rendojf,

* recommending him as the only person capable to manage t]i^

< design of setting a Episcopacy in Scotland : upon which ij©

< was received into great confidence. Yet, as he had obsej-y^d

< very carefully the success of Monk's sokmn protesta,tij5jig

* against the King, and for a common vvealth, it seems he ^y^g
« so pleased with the original, that he resolved to copy afte.t ff.

< without letting himself be diverted from it by scruples; fo^- j^^

* 6tuck neither at solemn protestations, both by word of mpgffi

< and by letters, (of which there are a multitude in Mr V/"odr,o^g
« introduction) nor at appeals to God of his sincerity ijj acjifjg
« for presbytery, both in prayers and on other occasions, pi^^-

* ing with these many dreadful imprecations on himself jj i.^

< did prevaricate. He was ill the while maintained bythjpri-siw--.

* terians, as their agent, ami continued to give them a consist
^ account of his ne^oiiatieiis in their sc!', Ic-j while he ■;--' %,

62 INTRODUCTION.

* deed un(.lcrmining it. This piece of craft was so visible, he

< having repeated his protestations to as many persons as then

* grew jealous of him, that when he threw off the mask, about

< a year after this, it laid a foundation of such a character of

* him, that nothing could ever bring people to any tolerable

* thoughts of a man whose dissimulation and treachery were so

< well known, and of which so many proofs were to be seen

< under his own hand.

The king landed at Dover, May 26th, and on Tuesday the
29th rode in triumph with his two brothers through the city of
London to Whitehall, amidst the acclamations of an innumer-
able croud of spectators. As he passed along, the London mi-
nisters in their places attended him vvith all demonstrations of
joy, and by the hands of old Mr Arthur Jackson presented his
Majesty with a rich embossed Bible, which he was pleased to
receive, and to declare it his resolution to make that book the
rule of his conduct. Thus was his Majesty restored ; and we
shall relate that he kept this last resolution in the same manner
that he observed all his other engagements.

jibstrad of the protest referred tOf p. 33, cf the foregoing Intro-
duction.

A FTER apologizing for this step, they say, — to your hon-
-^^ ours is our exhortation, that ye would endeavour — to ad-
vance the building of the house of God, reserving always into
the Lord's own hand that glory which he will communicate
neither with man or angel, to wit. To prescribe from his holy
n:iountain, a lively pattern, according to which his own taber-
nacle should be budded ; remembering always, that there is no
absolute — authority in this world, except the sovereign authority
of Christ, — to whom it belongeth as properly to rule the church
according to the good pleasure of his own will, as — to save her
by the merit of his own sufferings : all other authority is so in-
irenched within the marches of divine com.mandment, that the
least overpassing of the bounds set by God himself, bringeth
men under the fearful expectation of temporal and eternal
judgments. —

Next, remember that God hath set you to be nursing fathers
of the church, craving — ye would advance — tliat church which
he hatli fashioned — but not that ye should presume to fashion —
a new portraiture of a church, and a new form of divine service,
which God in his word hath not before allowed, — as, namely,
the estate of bi hops — thereby ye should bring in — the ordi-
nance of man — which the experience of former ages hath shewed
to be the grouiLu of idleness — pride — tyranny, and — ambition in
the church of God ; and, iinally to have been the ground of

INTRODUCTION. 6S

that antichristlan hierarchy which mounted up on the steps of
pre-eminence of bishops, until that man of sin came forth as
the first ripe fruits of man's wisdom, whom God shall consume

with the breath of his owp mouth

Above all things, my lords, beware to strive against God
with an open and displayed banner, by building up again the
walls of Jericho, which the Lord hath not only cast down — but
laid them under an — execration ; so that the building of them
again must needs stand to greater charges to the builders, than
the re-edifying of Jericho to Hiel the Bethelite — for he had
nothing but the interdiction of Joshua — but the states of this
realm have the reverence of the oath God, made by themselves,
and subscribed with there own hands — to hold them back from
setting up the dominion of bishops. — ^This pre-eminence of bis-
hops is that Dagon which once already fell before the ark of
God in this land, and no band of iron shall be able to hold him
up again — the institution of Christ was anterior thereto — and
shall stand within the house of God, when this new fashion of
altar shall go to the door — Remember, my lords, that in times
past your authority was for Christ — God forbid that ye should
now leave off, and fall away from your former reverence born
to Christ, in presuming to lead him whom the Father hath ap-
pointed to be leader of you ; and far less to trail the holy or-
dinances of Christ, by the cords of your authority, at . the heels
of the ordinances of men. — And albeit your honours have no
such intention, — yet remember that spiritual darkness, flowing
from a very small beginning, doth so insinuate itself into the
house of God, as men can hardly discern by what secret means
the light is dimmed ; and darkness creeping in gets the upper
hand, and, in the end, at unawares, all is involved within a
misty cloud of horrible apostacy.

IIISTOHY

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

CHAP I.

•Of the apprehending of the Marquis of Argyk ; the proceedings of
the Committee of Estates ; the supplication of the ministers ^ and
their imprisonment, and the sufferings of others , to the end of the
year 1660.

\/f 7 HEN king Charles II. was restored on the 29th of May
^^ 1660, never any prince came to the possession of such
large dominions with greater advantages to have done good
to himself, to his subjects at home) and to his allies abroad :
but he was no sooner placed on the throne, than, through the
influence of evil counsel, and his own effeminate and vicious
disposition, he abandoned himself to all manner of voluptuous
pleasures, and in a little time became a persecutor of those very
persons to whom he was obliged for being placed on the throne
of his ancestors.

The English presbyterlans were not long before they felt the
dismal effects of their appearance for a monarch who had no
sense of gratitude for their kind services, nor any regard to his
most solemn oaths and engagements. And the church of Scot-
land, to whom he was so much indebted, and for the support
and establishment whereof he had entered into covenant, was,
in a little time, made to feel the direful consequences of royal
dissimulation and perjury, though she had an undoubted claim
to all manner of favour ^nd protection.

On the 19th of June a thanksgiving was observed at Edin
burgh, for the king's restoration, which began with seeming de-
votion, and ended in open impiety. When the sermons were
over, the city magistrates r.nd council, preceded by his ma-
VOL, r. E

C6 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. I.

jesty's heralds and trumpeters, and different kinds of music, and
iittendcd with the officors of state, a multitude of nobility and
gentry, judges and others, went in procession to the cross, where,
a large tlieatre being erected for that purpose, and a table co-
vereil, they drank to the health of the day with the utmost pomp
and levity possible, the trumpets sounded, tlie bells rung, the
guards fued, the very cross run with wine, and all manner of
demonstrations of joy were shewed ; from thence they repaired
to the town hall and chief inns in the city, where the evening
was spent as if it had a great sacrifice to Bacchus •, a direful
j>resagc of the woeful days a-coming, and a literal verification
of that saying of the wisest of mere men, liven in laughter t/:s
heart is sorroivful^ and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Soon after the king's return, the noble Marquis of Argyle was
very much solicited to repair to court ; and no doubt he was
liimself inclined to wait on a prince on whose head he had
placed the crown. But several of his best friends, and particu-
larly Mr Robert Douglas used many arguments to divert him
from liis purpose, till matters were come to some settlement,
especially as his enemies at Londonhad b^en at pains to raise ca-
lumnies on his Lordship's person and conduct. Hov/ever, Ar-
gyle being persuaded that he was able to vindicate himself from
iill aspersions, was he only admitted to his majesty's presence,
set out for London, where he arrived on the 8th of July, and
went directly to Whitehall.

When the king heard of his being come thither, he, notwith-
standing his former promises, ordered Sir William Fleming to
apprehend and carry him directly to the Tower, where he con-
tinued under close confinement till he was sent to Scotland.
This noble peer was one of the chief of the covenanters, and
had been singularly active in the reformation of his country from
tlie insupportable yoke of Prelacy.

From the Tower he was conveyed in a man of war to Scot-
land, to be tried by the parliament. They landed at Leith on
the '20th of December, and he was committed to Edinburgh
castle the same day.

Sir John Swinton, one of the judges under Cromwell, who,
from being a zealous professor of the Reformation, turned
Quaker, and had been apprehended in a Quaker's house in Lou-
don, was sent down to Scotland with the Marquis.

While these things were a-doing, on the Uth of July orders
came down to Major-general INIorgan to secure Sir James
Stewart, provost of Edinburgh, Sir Archibald Johnstoun of
W.iristoun, and Sir John Chiefly of Cars well, who protes'ed
jigainst tlie death of King Charles L and was knighted in the
Ule of Wight. The first and last were seized, but Waristoun
' .^.Mpcd for some time. And therefore he v;as summoned by

CHAP. I. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 67

sound of trumpet to surrender himself, and the general issued
a proclamation for apprehending him, promising 100 pounds
Scots to any who should do it, and discharging all from con-
cealing or harbouring him under the pain of treason. This was
the first arbitrary step ; for here is not only a reward offered
by a general for apprehending a worthy gentleman, but de-
claring it treason for any to harbour him, and that without any
cause assigned.

On the 26th of July, one William GifFen, or Govan, was
apprehended and committed to the castle of Edinburgh, upon a
false information, that he had been on the scaffold when King
Charles I. was beheaded.

About this time his Majesty settled the ministry in Scotland.
The Earl of Middleton was declared his commissioner for hold-
ing the parliament, and general of the forces that were to be
raised. The Earl of Glencairn was made chancellor, the Earl
of Lauderdale secretary of state, the Earl of Rothes president
of the council ; the Earl of Crawford was continued in the?
treasury, and Primrose was clerk register. The rest depended
on these : but Middleton and Lauderdale were two heads of
the parties. Dr Bufnet farther says, that Middleton had a
private instructions, to try the inclinations of the nation for epis-
copacy, and to consider of the best method for setting it up.
If this be true, we may see what regard this prince had for the'
solemn engagements he had entered into.

How soon as the king had leasure to consider the state of
Scotland, he issued a proclamation, dated at Whitehall the 2d
of August, for the committee of estates, nominated by him and
the parliament 1651, to meet at Edinburgh the 2."jd of that
month, for managing the affairs of the kingdom till the parli:i-
ment should meet.

All the members of this committee had appeared hearty pro-
fessors of the true religion, and concurred with the king in tak-
ing the National Covenant and Solemn league and Covenant,
^nd some of them had advised him to make that remarkable de-
claration at Dunfermline in August 1650. So that every one
might have expected some good from their administration ; but
their little finger became heavier than the loins of all the for-
mer oppressors, of which they gave a specimen on the very first
day of their meeting.

Thus, upon the 2Sd of August, Messrs James Guthrie ac-
S:irling, John Stirling and Robert Trail at Edinburgh, Alex-
ander Moncrief at Scoon, John Semple at Carsphairn, Thomas
Ramsay at Mordingtoun, John Scot at O.xnam, Gilbert Hall
at Kirkliston, John Murray at Methven, and George Nairn at
Bruntisland, ministers, together with Mr Andrew Hay of Craig-
udthaH; and James Kirko of Sundiwell, elders, c<^sen'blc?d at a

68 THE HISTORY OF THE GKAP. I.

private house in Edinburgh, to draw up an humble address and
sup'plicatlon to the king.

The occasion of their meeting was this ; The opposers of tlie
public resolutions, justly suspecting the designs now hatching
against the church, and the conduct of Mr Sharp at London,
applied to the public vesolutioners either to concur with theni
in a dutiful address to his majesty, at such a conjuncture a^i
this, or address him themselves : But they, confiding too much
in Mr Sharp, would not comply with either of these j and there-
fore these faithful men found themselves obliged to do some-
thing in such a crisis. Accordingly they met, and drew up a
humble supplication and address, wherein they declared, < how

* hateful the actings of the late usurping powers were to them,

* in offering violence to the parliament of England, in murder-
' ing the late king, in secluding his majesty from his govern-

* ment, ^c. and above all, in their impious encroachments up-

* on the kingdom and liberties of Jesus Christ — how thankfully

* they acknowledged the Lord's signal preserving his majesty's

* person, — and in bringing him back after a long exile — How it

* was there sincere purpose and resolution, as it was their pre-

* sent practice, to pour forth their fervent desires and suppU-

* cations for his majesty, hoping, that he would allow them

* that protection, countenance and encouragement, which they

* had reason to expect from a gracious king. — What dangers

* threatened religion, and the work of reformation in these king-

* doms, from the designs and endeavours of the remnant of

* the popish, prelatical, and malignant party therein, — to re-in-

* troduce prelacy, the ceremonies and the service-book, which

* were formerly cast out as inconsistent with that pure and

* spotless rule of church-government, discipline and worship in

* the word of God, — and from the endeavours of the spirit of

* error, that possesseth the sectaries in these nations, — and

* therefore, with bowed knees and bended affections, they^hum-

* bly supplicate his majesty, to employ his royal power, for the

* preservation of the reformed religion, in the church of Scot-

* land, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and go:«ernment, and

* for the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England

* and Ireland — and that all places of trust under his majesty
' might be filled with such as have taken the Covenant, and

* are of approvcn integrity and known affection to the cause of
' God, — and that his majesty would be pleased, for removing
' the beginnings of stumbling that had already been given, to

* remove the ceremonies and service-book from his own chapel

* and family, and other places of his dominions, and give public
' signification of his approbation of the Covenant, and of his
' purpose to adhere «nto the same, which they put him in mind
' he had formerly done in a most solemn manner, — for it was

CHAP. I. CHURCH OF SCOTLANa 69

* the desire of their soul, that his majesty may be like unto Da-

* vid, a man according to God's own heart ; to Solomon, of an

* understanding heart to judge the Lord's people,' bfc.

This is that which Bishop Burnet calls a -warm paper, in
which, after some cold compliments to the king upon his re-
storation, they put him in mind of the Covenant, ^c. But the
reader may judge whether they could well use sincere expres-
sions of loyalty. Did they put him in mind of any thing but
what all honest and faithful subjects ought to have done. Had
not his Majesty sworn to every thing, which, in the most re-
spectful manner, they desired ? Was there any thing treasonable
like a seditious reflecting on his majesty, or on the government
of the kingdom of England, or the constitution of the present
committee of estates ?

The Earl of Glencairn the chancellor, and others, being in-
formed of that meeting, sent some persons to apprehend those
who were met together. They who were sent came upon them
when the scrolls and other papers were before them. These
papers were no other than the first draughts of letters to some
brethren, desiring another meeting at Glasgow, in September,
about the supplication, with instructions to some of their num-
ber, when they went west with a copy of the supplication, that
it might be considered by the synod of Glasgow, in order to
their joining with them in it, if they judged it needful.

When the unfinished scrolls and supplication were read be-
fore the committee, they were directly sent to court, and all
who had been present at the meeting, except Mr Hay of Craig-
nethan, M'ho happily escaped, were committed to the castle of
Edinburgh, without ever calling the ministers before them, or
Iiearing what they had to say in their own defence. So great
injustice exercised towards those who were manifesting their
love and respect to their prince, by putting him in mind of his
most sacred engagements, and of the duty he oTv^ed both to God
and his subjects, justly alarmed all the faithful in the land, es-
pecially the congregations who are now rendered desolate.

Next day the committee of estates published a proclamation
against all unlawful and unv^arrantable meetings and conventi-
cles, without his majesty's special authority, and against all se-
ditious petitions and remonstrances, under what pretext soever.
But can the reader imagine that it was unlawful for a small
number of ministers to meet in a private room, when their only
design was to congratulate his majesty upon his being restored
to the throne of his ancestors, and put him in mind of his duty ?
Or that it was a seditious petition and remonstrance, to intreat
the king to observe his coronation-oath, when many used all
their interest to get him to act a part inconsistent with what l^e
kad sworn in the presence of God.

7.0 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. I.

The ministers under confinement agreed upon n petition, and
sent it to tbf committee ; but tlie Chancellor insisted that they
should acknowledge their fault in meeting upon the design they
did. This they could not in conscience comply with, notwith-
standing the advocate, -who had taken the tender, and thereby re-
nounceil all allegiance to the king, when many of them were suf-
fering for their loyalty, threatened to found a process of treason
upon the supplication. And therefore they continued a consi-
derable time in prison ; at last several of them were let out of
the cattle, and confined to their lodgings in Edinburgh, till the
sitting of the parliament, when they were all liberated except
Mr Guthrie, who remained in prison till a glorious martyrdom
set him free.

During the proceedings of the committee, that vile apo:^tate
Sharp arrived at Edinburgh on the last of August, and the next
day delivered the following letter from his m,ajesty, directed to
Mr Robert Douglas, to be communicated to the presbytpry oi
Edinburgh.

CHARLES R.

< np RUSTY and well-btloved, we greet you well. By the

< -^ letter you sent us with this bearer Mr James Sharp, and

< by the account he gave of the state of our church there,

< we have received full information of your sense of our suf-

< ferings, and of your constant affection and loyalty to our per-

< son and authority ; and therefore we will detain him here no

< longer, of whose good services we are very sensible, nor will

< we delay to let you know by him our gracious acceptance of

* your address, and how well we arc satisfied with your car-

< riages, and with the generality of the ministers of the church

* of Scotland, in this time of trial, whilst some, under specious

< pretences, swerved from that duty and allegiance they owed

* to us. And because such, who, by the countenance of usur-
« pers, have disturbed the peace of that our church, may also

< laboui to create jealousies in the minds of well-meaning peo-

* pie, VL i^.ave thought fit, by this, to assure you, that, by the

< grace of God, we resolve to discountenance profanity, and all

* contemners and opposers of the ordinances of the gospel.

* We Jo also resolve to protect and preserve the government of

* the church of Scotland, as it is settled by law, without viola-

* tion ; and to countenance, in the due exercise of their func-

* tions, all such ministers who shall behave themselves dutifully

* and peaceably, as becomes men of their calling. We willal-

* so take care that the authority and acts of the general assem-
' bly at St Andrews and Dundee 1G5], be owned and stand in

* force, until we shall call another general assembly, (which we
' purpose to do as soon as our affairs will permit) and wcdoin-

< tend to send for INIr Robert Dougl;\s, and- some other mini-

CHAP. I. CHUUCH OF SCOTLAND. 7l

< sters, that we may speak with them in what may farther con-

< cern the afFairs of that church. And as we are very well sa-

* tisfied with your resolution not to meddle without your sphere,

< so we do expect that church- judicatures in Scotlan<^, and rai-

* nisters there, will keep within the compass of their station,

< meddling only with matters ecclesiastic, and promoting our

* authority and interests with our subjects against all opposers :
' and that they will take special notice of such, who, by preacli-

< ing, or private conventicles, or any other way, transgress the

* limits of their calling, by endeavouring to corrupt the people,

< or sow seeds of disaffection to us or our government. This

* you shall make known to the several presbyteries within that

< our kingdom : and as we do give assurance of our favoiir and

* encouragement to you, and to all honest deserving ministerr>

* there, so we earnestly recommend it to you, that you be ear-

* nest in your prayers, public and private, to almighty God,

* who is our rock and our deliverer, both for us and for our

* government, that we may have fresh and constant supplies of

< his grace, and tlie right improveiuent of all his mercies and
« deliverances, to the honour of his great name, and the peace,

* safety, and benefit of all our kinedoms. And so we bid you
« heartily farevi'ell. Given at our court at Whitehall, the 10th
« of August, 1660, and cf our reign the twelfth year.

< By his majesty's special command,

LAUDERDALE.'

This letter seems to have been penned by Sharp; and, though
calculated to lull all asleep till matters were ripe for a thorough
change, yet there is in it an innuendo, as if some of the mi-
nisters had deviated from their duty : howbeit, none of them
had taken the tender, nor complied with the measures laid
down by Cromwell, as Sharp did. The reader will likewise
observe, that this covenanted king took care not to mention one
word of the covenants, but only promised to protect the go-
vernment of the church of Scotland, ns it is settled by law.
And as for his calling an assembly, if it was intended, we are
sure it was never performed. However, the presbytery of Edin-
burgh sent a loyal answer to the king's letter, with another to
I^auderdale. But to return to the proceedings cf tiie com.mit-
tee.

When his majesty's letter came down, it rather increased
than lessened the committee's proceedings sgainst gentlemen
and m/misters. The brethren for the public resolutions made
too much of it ; and those who opposed these resolutions were
looked upon as enemies to the king, and therefore many cf then.i
were harrassed and imprisoned.

Thus, on die Mtli of September, John Cralmm provost cf
Glasgow, and Job.n Sprcul; town-clerk t]iere,vvcrc impri^o!:'"'!. •"■

72 THE HISTORY OF THE ' CHAT. 1.

their order in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, because they were
reckoned to favour the remonstrance. The next day, Mr Pa-
trick Gillespie principal ot the college of Glasgow, was made
prisoner in the castle of Edinburgh, and afterwards sent to Stir-
ling castle, where he continued till the parliament sat down.
Mr William Wisheart and Mr Robert Row were confined to
their chambers at Edinburgh, and within a few days Mr Wi-
sheart and provost Jaffray were imprisoned in Edinburgh jail ;
about the same time the Rev. Mr James Guthrie was sent from
Edinburgh castle to Stirling, where he continued till near the
time of his trial.

On the 19th of September a proclamation was published
against two noted books, viz, Mr Rutherford's Lex Rex, and
the Causes of God's Wraths as if they contained many things in-
jurious to the king, and laid the foundation and seeds of rebel-
lion. But the truth is, the principles maintained in the first
were never yet disproved, and the facts in the other were di-
rectly contrary to the measures now pursued •, ,and therefore
they were called iij and burnt at Edinburgh by the common
hangman.

Next day a proclamation was issued against all v/hom the
committee were pleased to call remonstrants, and tlieir ad-
herents : by this the most zealous of the ministers were laid
open to persecution, and many gentlemen of the best estates
and greatest interest in the nation, who appeared for the Refor-
mation since the year 16S7, and had given the greatest evidences
of concern for the royal family, were now struck at, with a view
to model the elections for the ensuing parliament to the mind
of the court. Accordingly some were summoned before the
committee, and others confined, that their influence upon elec-
lions might he prevented. And if they had any tolerable in-
formation against them, with respect to their compliances in
the time of the usurpation, or their inclination to the remon-
strance and protestation, they were to sign a bond, obliging
themselves to do nothing tending to the prejudice of his ma-
jesty's person, family, and authority, — arid that they shall not,
m any time coming, directly or indirectly, own, promote, or abet
the remonstrance under the highest pains.

On the 10th of October Sir Archibald Johnstoiin of 'Wiiris-
toun. Colonel Ker, Colonel Barclay, John Hume of Kello, Ro-
bert Andrew of Little-Tarbat, and WiUiam Dundas, late super-
visor, were declared fugitives by the committee.

Jvlany minibterswere at tliis time brought to trouble ; parti-
cularly, on the 13th of October, Mr John Dickson minister at
Ruthcrglen was imprisoned at Edinburgh, upon an information
;;iven by Sir James Hamilton of Elistoun, of some expressions
M;^ed in a sermon, v.-hicb, as was alleged, reilcctcd on the go-

lHAP. I. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. "!$

vernmcnt and committee, and tended to sedition and division.
Mr James Nasmith minister at Hamilton was imprisoned for
v.'crds alleged to have been spoken by him many years ago,
and Mr James Simpson minister at Airth, when gouig to settle
with a congregation in Ireland, was seized at Port-patrick, with-
out any cause >hewn him. Now it cannot be alleged that
these persons suffered for rebellion or treason ; for all of them
owned the king's authority, and many of them had suffered
n.uch for his majesty v/hcn in exile. After this the committee
adjourned for some days.

On the 1st of November a proclamation was published with
much solemnity, for holding a parliament at Edinburgh on the
13th of December following; but the king being engaged in
several important affairs at London, the atFairs of Scotland were
postponed till the SJst of December, when his majesty's high-
commissioner arrived at Holyrcod-house, and by that time all
was ready for business.

I shall close this chnpter by observing, that though, in No-
vember, George Campbell, sheriff'-depiite of Argyle, was impri-
soned for being concerned in some things with the marquis, yet
he was soon pardoned.

CHAP. II.

Of the y^cts of the first session of Payliamait^ the conduct of the
Chtirch Judical lives, the sufferings of the Marquis of Argyle,
Mr James Guthrie and several others.

"\/S7 E liave had a short viev/ of the arbitrary proceedings of
the committee of estates, by which not a few suffered
contrary to lav/ : and therefore the hrst step of the managers
was, to open a door for a more legnl prosecution of honest peo-
ple v/ho stood up for religion, liberty, and pvoperty.

Accordingly when the parliament met, upon the 2 1st of January
16dI they passed many acts, which were, illegal, and subver-
sive of the constitution both in church and state. To trace this
matter more pr.rticularly — tlie greatest part of the members of
this parliam.ent were men of a very infamous character. The
commissioner, the Earl of Middleton, was of a fierce and vio-
lent temper. Bishop Burnet says, ' His way of living was most
♦ splendid, but at the same time was most scandalous; for vices
< of all sorts were the open practices of those about him.' The
nobility and gentry were remarkably changed to the worse.
Few that had been active in former years were now alive, and
these few were marked out for ruin. Several of the leading
managers finding that tlie strictness of the Presbyterian disci-
pline stood in the way of their licentiousness, took a disgust
thereat; besides, grcr.t pains hr.d been taken at the election.", to

74 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. II.

get those chosen, who were entirely at the devotion of the courf,
and if any of another disposition had been chosen, some pretence
or other was made to set aside the election.

When they had talcen their seats in the parliament-house,
Mr Robert Douglas preached an excellent sermon from 2 Chron.
xix. 6. Take heed nokat ye do, for ye judge not for man, hut for
the Lordf who is with you in the Judgment. After calling the
rolls, the earl of Glencairn was chosen preses, and the commis-
sioner had a speech recommending peace and unity.

It is to be observed, that ascording to former unrepealed acts,
the covenants were to be taken and subscribed by every mem-
ber of succeeding parliaments, before they entered upon busi-
ness : but a rew oath of allegiance, or rather supremacy, being
now imposed, the same was taken by all present, except the
Earl of Cassils ; so that this parliament sat down and proceeded
in a method directly contrary to standing laws.

On the 8th of January the commissioner moved, that the
parliament migl.t proceed to business, in the ancient way, by
the lords of the articles, without devolving their power on them,
•which he declared was not his intention ; accordingly after
some debate, it was resolved, ' That 12 noblemen, 12 barons,

* and 12 burgesses, with the officers of state, shall be in th.c
» place of the lords of the articles. These were authorised, in
« their several meetings, to hear all matters presented to them,

* to receive proof of what they found relevant, and report to
< the parliament twice a week.' And ro these the nation was
chiefly indebted for the laws made in this session.

It is very evident that the main design of- this parJiament
was to make the king absolute ; and this vv-as not a little pro-
moted by the fulsome sermons preached by too many before
Ihem. The preachers wcrt^ not then appointed by the assem-
bly or commission, who used formerly to sit in time of parlia-
iiient, but the king's advocate, by his letter, appointed what
preachers he pleased. Their ordinary them^es were the wick-
edness of rebellion, the extensiveness of the king's power,
passive obedience, &:c. and Bishop Burnet says, though they
did not speak out, they insinuated the necessity of a greater
authority than was then in the church for keeping them in
t^rder. One or two spoke plainer ; vpon which the presbytery
of Edinburgh went to the Kavl of Middlcton and complained of
that as an ai^ront to the law and Aze king's letter. Ke dismiss-
ed them wilh good word?, but took no notice of their com-
plaints. It will not be amiss now to consider some of the acts
made in tliis session of parliament, since they laid the founda-
tion for all tlie injustice and cruelty that were exercised aftcr-
n^^ards.

CHAP. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 15

The first printed act is concerning the president and oath of
parliament, by which it is enacted, that all members should, at
their first down-sittmg, take an oath of allegiance in the fol-
lowing form :
' T ■ for testification of my faithful obedience to my

-■- most gracious and redoubted sovereign, Charles king of
Great Britain, France, and Ireland, defender of the lait!., do af-
firm, testify, and declare, by this my solemn oath, that I ac-
knowledge my said sovereign only supreme governor of this
kingdom, over all persons, and in all causes ; and that no fo-
reign prince, power or state, nor person civil or ecclesiastic,
hath any jurisdiction, power or superiority over the same ; and
therefore I utterly renounce and forsake all foreign jurisdic-
tion, pov.'ers and authorities, and shall, to my utmost power,
defend, assist, and maintain his majesty's jurisdiction foresaid,
against all deadly, and never decline his majesty's povrer or ju-
risdiclion, as I shall answer to God.'

Members of parliament were to add ; ' and I shall faithfully
give my advice and vote in every thing that snail be propound-
ed in parliament, as I shall ansv/er to God.'

The title of the act calls it an cat/j of parliament^ the body of
it, an oath of allegiance ; and it is evident that it includes the
supremacy. The words are general, but yery comprehensive,
and capable of different senses. Thus, v/hen the king is af-
firmed to be supreme over all persons and in all causes, and to
be assisted and maintained in that jurisdiciior;, this would re-
quire some limitation, restriction, or explication to clear the
meaning ; for though the commissioner and chancellor declared
once and again, in the face of parliament, that they did net in-
tend to give his majesty any ecclesiastical, but only a civil
power, yet in a little time, when ministers offered to take the
oath in this sense, they were not permitted. And it would
seem these declarations from the throne were made from other
viev/s than at that time appeared ; for, when the earl of Cassils
and the laird of Kilburny moved that these declarations migiit
be entered in the registers, it was peremptorily refused. In
fine, this oath came to be the Shibboleth of the state, and in a
little time was imposed upon all subjects of any influence.

By their 4th act they decree, that no conventions, league?, or
bonds be made without the sovereign. By the 6th act they de-
clare the convention of estates 1G43, wlio entered into the so-
lemn league and covenant, void and null. By their 7th act
they discharge the renewing of the solemn league and covenant,
or any other covenants, or public catiis concerning the govern-
ment of the church or kingdom, without his Majesty's special
warrant and approbation. By their 1 1th act it is ordered, that
^Jl persons in puljlic offices take Ihc oalh of allegiance befor(;

16 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAT'. 11.

mentioned, atid subscribe a declaratioti asserting his majesty's
royal prerogative ; the substance whereof is as follows : * For-
' asmuch as^the estates of parliament — have — declared, that it
' is an inherent privilege,— -and an undoubted part of the royal
' prerogative of the kings of this kingdom, to have the sole
' choice and appointment of the officers of state, privy coun-
' sellors and lords of session ; that the power of calling, hold-
' ing and dissolving parliaments, and all conventions and meet-
' ings of the estates, doth solely reside in the king's majesty,
*• his heirs and successors, and that — no aots nor statutes, to be
' passed in any parliament, can be binding on the people, or
' have the authority or force of laws, without the special ap-

* probation of his majesty, or his comrnission. — That the power
' of arms, the making peace or war, the making treaties with
' foreign princes and states, or at home by subjects among
' themselves, doth properly reside in the king's majesty, his
' heirs and successors, as their undoubted right, and theirs
' alone : and that it is high treason in the subjects of thisking-
' dorn, or any number of them, upon whatsoever ground, to
' rise, or continue in arms, without his majesty's authority first
' interponed thereto. That it is unlawful for subjects, of whdt-
' soever quality or function, to — assemble themselves to treat
' or determine in any matters of state, civil or ecclesiastical,

* (except in the ordinary judgments) or to make leagues or
' bonds — Avithout his majesty's special consent. That the league
' and cov^enant, and all the treaties following thereupon, are not
' obligatory on tliis kingdom, or on the subjects thereof, to
*• meddle or interpose, by arms, or any other seditious way, in
' any thing concerning the religion and government of the.

* churches of England and Ireland. — And that none— presume,
' upon pretext of any authority whatsoever, to require the re-

* newing or svrearing of the said league and covenant, or of any
' other covenants or public o::ths — and that none offer to renew
' the same Vv'ithout his majesty's special warrant and approba-
' tion, &c. I do conform to the acts of parliament aforesaid,

* declare, that I do, with all humble duty, acknowledge his ma-

* jcsty's royal prerogative, right and power in all the particu-
*■ lars, and i-n the manner aforesaid, and that I do heartily gi\'c

* my consent thereto, by these presents, subscribed by me
" at .'

As the oath of allegiance before mentioned was in itself un-
lawful, because to swear unrestricted and unlimiied allegiance
to any man, is a manifest enslaving of mankind to a servile ob-
lig-ation to maintain and uphold the persons and government of
mutable .men, let thern act as they please ; and because there is
in it an acknowledgment of uni\ ersal supremacy inh.erent in the
king; so this instrument or declaration, asserting the king's

VilAV. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. -77

prerogative, is equally so ; for, 1. All in public oiHces hereby
acknowledge an absolute and unlimited power in the king ;
-. They renouncethe solemn and sacred covenants ; and, 3. They
condemn the most innocent means of seeking redress of grie-
vances ; for they are to declare it to be treason for subjects, up-
on any pretence, to rise in arms, and unlawful for subjects to
assemble together to treat of any matters of slate, civil or ec-
clesiastical, without his majesty's approbation : so that here all
defensive arms are condemned ; and none of the judicatures of
the church are to assemble but when the king pleases. By
this also a door was opened for the utter overthrow of these ju-
dicatures, seeing the king is declared to be the fountain of all
church power. And therefore it was no Vv^onder, though many
of those who were bound by the national covenant and solemn
league and covenant, refused to take the oath or subscribe the
declaration ; and it is evident, that they who suffered for this
refusal can never be said to suffer as evil doers, but only for
conscience sake.

One might think that the parliament had made sufficient
progress, for one session, in overturning presbyterian govern-
ment and discipline ; but they v.'ere determined to make all
sure, and therefore, by their 9th act, they annulled the parlia-
ments and committees kept after the year 104S, and by their
15th act they annulled all the parliaments that had been iield
betvvdxt the years 1640 and 164S. And thus they took av^'^ay
the greatest human securities that could be given to a church
and nation. Bishop Burnet. says of this last mentioned act,
v/hat he might with equal reason -have said of both, namely,
* That it was a most extravagant act, only fit to be concluded
' after a drunken-bout. It shook all possible secimty for the
'future, and laid down a most pernicious precedent.' When
this act rescissory was brought in to the house by the lords of
the articles, great debates arose upon it, so that it could not
pass that night ; however, after great struggle, it was carried
next day.

By tlieir 10th act, concerning religion and government, the
true protestant reformed religion was ordered to be settled as it
was before the year 1638, and the government of the church to
be secured as the k-ing finds most consistent with scripture, rao-
narchy and peace. Hereby the king was set at tlie head of ali
ecclesiastical affairs ; for the government of the church was en-
tirely unfixed, and the settlement of it put into the king's
power : aiid, thougii sessions, presbyteries, and cynods were pei-
raitted for a few weeks ; yet v.'e shall see l;o%v their liberlicij
v\'ere taken from them, and their proceedings violently inter-
rupted, so tkat presbyterian government scarcsly, lived out lly^

TS THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. II.

By th>:;ir ITUi act they ordraned that the 2C)th of Maybe
observed as an analversary thanksgiving for the king's restora-
tion, and be for ever set apart as an holy-day unto the Lord,
Sic. Though many gave obedience to this act, yet others
could not in conscience submit to it, not only because it is not
in the power of an}-, under heaven, to appoint anniversary holy-
days, that being the prerog::tive of the Creator alone, but also
because, though the day was set apart, for ever to be kept holy
to the Lord, yet diversions were appointed for spending the day
after the public worship was over.

And the better to secure the model of their church-govern-
ment, by the 35th act they restored the heavy grievance of pa-
tronages, which they knew had always been a dead weight up-
on, and inconsistent with, presbyterial government. Nay, this
act ordained all who shall be presented, to take the oath of
allegiance, before they were settled, under severe penalties.
Instead of making any remarks upon this, I shall only lay be-
fore the reader what were the sentiments of the parliament of
Scotland when they abolished patronages 1649. ' Consider-
' ing, say they, that patronages and presentations are an evil
' and bouda);,e under which the Lord's people and ministers of
' this land have long groaned, and that it hath no waiTant in
' God's word, but is founded only on the common law, and is
' a custom popish, and brought into the ku'k in time of igno-

* ranee and superstition, and that the same is contrary to the
' 2d book of discipline, in which, upon sound and good grounds,
' it is reckoned among abuses that are desired to be reformed,
' and unto several acts of general assembly ; and that it is pre-

* judicial to the liberty of the people and planting of kirks,

* and unto the free calling, and entry of ministers unto their
' charge.' — Nevertheless this parliament not only restored pa-
tronages, but imposed the oath of allegiance and supremacy on
all ministers who should be presented.

Having thus considered some of the most remarkable acts of
this session of parliament, by which the constitution of the
church was overturned, and a foundation laid for introducing
abjured prelacy, and prosecflting all who should oppose the
schemes then forming, it is proper that we next take a viqw of
ihe conduct of the ministers and judicatures while these things
were a-doing.

It is too evident they did not make such a stand against these
encroachments as they might have done. Some indeed, in their
priA'ate capacity, bore an honourable testimony thcre-against,
|)ut very little was done by synods and presbyteries. How-
ever, for tlie honour of those who made any stand for the li-
l)2rUes of the church, take the following account :

CHAP. II. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 70

Mr Robert Douglas, in liis sermon at the opening of the
parliament, dealt very faithfully with the members ; and, in
several parts of the country, ministers gave full and faithful
warning of the dangers threatening the church of Scotland, par-
ticularly Messrs Robert MacWard at Glasgow, William Guth-
rie at Fenwick, and John Livingston at Aucrum, and not a few
ministers kept congregational fasts ; but all this time very little
w'as done in a judicative capacity. Nevertheless the following-
efforts were made, though they proved fruitless.

The parliament having passed several acts subversive of the .
v.-ork of reformation, the brethren in and about Edinburgh
presented several overtures to the commissioner, namely, that
there might be an act of parliament explaining the meaning, of
the oath of allegiance, that the parliament would declare, that
they had no intention to annul or make void the solemn league
and covenant, and that they would approve and ratify the con-
fession of faith and catechisms, and the directory for worship,
together with the discipline, government and liberties of thii
church. These overtures the commissioner and chancellor pro-
mised to commimicate to his majesty, and afler wards return an
answer, and at the same time desired the brethren to draw up
an act of ratiiication, as they would have it, and it should be
considered. This was accordingly done and given to the com-,
missioner, but it ail came to nothing ; for the ministers were
kept in hopes, and got fair v/ords, till matters were past re-
medy ; and instead of this act of ratificatioa, the act rescissory,
above mentioned, w^as made and ratified.

When the nature of this last act came to be knov^^n, the
presbj'tery of Edinburgh prepared a supplication to the house,
and sent it to the commissioner by three of their number ; but
partly by promises, and partly by threatening^, he prevailed
upon them not to give it in that day, and presently the parlia-
ment met, and in all haste past the act.^ Upon which the pres-
bytery, next day, sent Mr David Dickson and others to the
commissioner, to intreat access for having their supplicatioa
presented to the house, but all to no purpose. After this they
seat their supplication to the king, which met with no regard :
and when they heard of farther intentions to alter the govern-
ment of the church, they wrote, to. the Earl of Lauderdale to
iaterpo::e with his majesty to put a stop to these proceedings,
till all things be settled by a free and lawful general assembly ;
and in March following they sent up an information to court,
representing, among other things, the inconvenience and sad
consequence of a change in the government and constitution of
the church ; in v.'hich also they were disappointed ; for the
managers were resolved to please tlic high-ilyeii in England,
1

80 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. 11.

to follow Mr Sharp's ambitious designs, and to carry their pro-
ject against all reason and justice.

Before April and May, when the synods were wont to meet,
the parliament made great progress in their work. Howevei-,
the synod of Glargow* and Ayr met on the 2d of April, and
taking the state of the church under consideration, tliey ap-
pointed a committee to draw up an address and supplication for
a new security to religion and tlie church, seeing the old fences
were taken away ; and Mr William Guthjrie having read, from
the committ-ie, a draught of such address, some of the resolu-
tioners, especially those who were gaping after a bishopric^
vehemently opposed the supplication, and threatened to dissent,,
because they alleged ihat now was not a proper time ; and
therefore ufged that this matter 'might be delayed ; whereto
others yielded, from a consideration, that without harmony
their address would lose much of its weight : however, they
agreed upon a declaration of their being fixed in, and resolved
to adhere to the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government
of the church -, but many were justly grieved that they made
no mention of diocesan episcopacy, nor of the obligation of the
covenants. "When they met again at Glasgow in May, they
were discharged by a proclamation from the market-cross.
Thus were they deprived of an opportunity of considering their
supplication. And though the ministers in town sent three of
their number to Edinburgh, with a petition to his majesty's
commissioner, yet no return was given to it. This was the last
synod of presbyterian ministers who met at Glasgow before the
year 1687.

On the 11th of April the synod of Perth and Stirling met,
and out of their excessive loyalty, ordered the remonstrance,
which was drav^n up by that synod, Pth of October 1050, and
afterwards presented to the' king and committee of estates, to
be razed out of their record?, as containing several thmg3 re-
flectuig on his majesty and the estates. I shall only say, that
it had been well if there had never been a cause for that re-
monstrance.

The synod of Fife met at St Andrews in April, but, before
they h?A formally voted their intended petition, and finished
the warning they designed to give, they were intciTuptad by
the Earl of Rothes, appointed inspector by the coinmissioner.
His lordship came in, while they were in the midst of their
business, commanded silence in the king's nnme, required they
would insist no more upon what was before them, and dismiss
immediately ; accordingly tliey obeyed, without protesting a-
gainst such a plain invasion of the liberties of Christ's house :
however, the presbyteries in their bounds, at their first meeting,
approved of wh.it the svnod could not get finished ; xnd all of
3

CHAP. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 81

them, in a very solemn manner^ declared their adherence to the
principles of the church of Scotland,

This nevv' office of inspector of synods had no act of parlia-
ment for its constitution ; and, though it had, that could not
justify the same, there being no precedent for it in the word of
God ; but that was what our managers did not consult. They
were m.uch vexed that synods should bear a testimony against
their proceedings, and therefore these were appointed as spies,
in order to dissolve them when they determined to petition
against threatening grievances, as was the practice when pre-
lacy was first introduced, after the Reform.ation, in the time of
King James VI.

Accordingly, the synod of Bum.fries was dissolved by Oueens-
beiry and Hartfield, who were both drunk at that very time.
The synod of Galloway was dissolved by the Earl of Galloway,
as they were drawing up a supplication against episcopacy ;
•but the moderator, Mr John Park, faithfully protested against
what was done, as an injury to a court of Jesus Christ, and the
ministers would not remove till he pr?.yed and regularly con-
cluded their meeting.

In the synod of Lothian they were not suffered so m.uch as
•to speak of any testimony ; nay, some of the mem.bers, v/ho
w^ere ripe for a change, and devoted to the interest of the mana-
gers) moved that the protestors should be censured. While
this was in debate, the Earl of Callendar and Sir Archibald
Stirling came in, and required the inoderator to purge the house
of rebels, meaning the protesting ministers, else they would dis-
solve them, and m.ake them ansv/er before other judges. Upon
tills the synod suspended five ministers of great piety, viz.
Messieiu-s Alexander Livingston at Biggai", John Greg at Sker-
ling. Arch. Forteons and James Donaldson in the presbytery of
Biggar, and Gilbert Hall at Kirkliston. They likewise re-
moved two from their ch?vrges, upon the application of some
malignant and disaffccfed persons in their parishes, viz. Mr
William Weir at Linlithgow, and IVIr William Crcighton, at
Bathgate, Mr V/cir, refusing to deliver up to the ma^-istrates
the church-emoluments and registers, Vv^as put into the thieves-
hole by' provost Glen ; pnd, after being some time in that dun-
gem, he was carried to a room in tlic palace, where he v/as
kept six weekr, tip., at last, he was forced to make the best
terms he could. But, notv.'ithstanding all this sinful compli-
ance of the s^nod, because the majority Vv'^ould not yield to
some proposals made m favour of prelacy, they were dissolved
in the king's name, rnd forced to. dismiss without prayer.

In the northern synods the protestors began to feel the op-
pressions of the times. I only mention, that Mr Thomas Hog,
■.ninister at K'ltear^, was deposed' bv tlie svnod :" V-^^^, v"^' -

'."OL. r. ■ ^ F

g2 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. 11.

sat down the beginning of this year, for refusing judicially to
disown and disclaim the protestation. At the same time a mo-
tion was made for deposing Mr James Frazer of Linny from
his office as ruling elder, but what was the issue of it I know
not.

By this time we m'ay see the dismal consequences of admit-^
ting malignants into places of power and trust, and what efforts,
were made against the before-named encroachments. It is cer-
tain more might have been done, there being as yet no law
against theiv meetings, or their petitioning for a redress of those
grievances that were coming upon them. However, the ge-
nerality of the ministers were against prelacy. Bishop Burnet
says, the synod of Aberdeen, at which he was present, was the
only body that made an address looking towards episcopacy.

it is now proper that wc give an account of what many suf-
fered during this session of parliament, when we shall find some
attacked in their name and reputation, others in their liberties,
and others^ in their lives ; such as the noble marquis of Argyk,,
the Rev. Ms James Guthrie, and Mr Govan.

We noticed that the marquis wa& committed to the castle of
Edinburgh the 20th of December last.

Oh the' 13th of February this year his lordship was brought
to the bar of the house, where Sir John Fletcher,, the king's
advocate, accused hiiH,- in common form, of high treason ; and
producing an indictment, craved that it might be read. The
marquis himself begged liberty to speak before that was done ;
but the house refused his reasonable desire, and ordered it to be
read ; and though he entreated them to hear a petition he had
to present, yet that was too great a favour to be granted.

Tlic indictment, which was more months m forming than
Argyle had days allowed at first to bring in his defences, con-
sisted of fourteen articles, wherein a heap of slander, perver-
sion of matters of fact, and misrepx-esentations, are collected to-
gether against this good and great man. I. That he rose in
arms against the king's good subjects, the Anti-covenanters v
and said to Mr John Stuart, that it was the opinion of many
divines that kings might be deposed. 2. That he marched
with an armed force and burnt the house of Airlie. 3. That,
in 1640, he besieged and forced his majesty's castle of Dum-
barton to surrender to him. 4. That he called, or ordered to
be called, the convention of estates 1643, and entered into the
solemn league and covenant with England, levied subsides
from the subjects, and fought against his majesty's forces.
5. Tliat, in 1645, he biu-ned the house of Menstrie. 6. That,
in 1646, he, or those under his command, besieged and took
the houses of Towart, and Escogc, and killed a great many
ge^ntlemcn. 1. That lie marched to Kinth-c, and killed 3Ce

OHAP. rr. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 83

Macdonalds and Maccouls in cold blood, and transported 200
men to the uninhabited Isle of Jura^ where they perished
by famine. 8. That he went to London and agreed to deliver
up the king to the English army at Newcastle, upoti the pay-
ment of 200,000/. pretended to be due for the arrears of the
army treasonably raised, 1643. 9. That he protested against
the engagement 1648, for relieving his majesty ; raised an army
to oppose the engagers ; met With Oliver Cromwell ; consented
to a letter wrote to him on the 6th of October, and to the in-
structions given to Sir John Chiesly to the parliam.ent of Eng-
land ; and, in May following, signed a warrant for a proclama-
tion against the Lords Ogilvie and Rae, the marquis of Huntley,
John now earl of Middleton, declaring them, their wives and
families, to be out of the protection of the kingdom. 10. That
he clogged his majesty's invitation to the kingdom of Scotland
1649 with many unjust limitations ; consented to the murder of
the marquis of Montrose ; corresponded with Cromwell ; con-
trived and consented to the act of the West-kirk 1650, and the
declaration following upon it. 11. That, in 1053 and 1654, he
abetted, or joined with, or furnished arms to the usurper's
forces, against Glencairn and Middleton, and gave remission to
such as had been in the king's service. 12. That he received
a precept from the usurper of 12,000/. sterling, consented to
the proclamation of Richard Cromwell ; accepted a commission
from the shire of Aberdeen, and sat and voted in his pretended
parliament. 13. That he rebuked the ministers in Argyle for
praying for the king. 14. That he positively advised Cromwell
and Ireton, in a conference 1648, that they could not be safe
till the king's life was taken away ; at least he knew and con-
cealed that horrid design.

After the indictment was read, the marquis had leave to
speali, and discoursed, at some considerable length, to exceedinj^
good purpose. The parliament fixed the 26th of February for
bringing in his defence, which was too short a time for replying
to a charge consisting of so many particulars. However, at his
request, they protracted it till tl^ 5th of March, when he ap-
peared before the lords of the articles, who ordered him imme-
diately to produce his defence ; whereupon he made a very
moving speech, and gave in a most affecting petition, remitting
himself to the king's mercy, and beseeching the parliament to
intercede for him, which are too long to be inserted here.

Next day, being brought before the parliament, it was re-
ported from the articles, that he had offered a submission to his
majesty, with a desire that the parliament might transmit it to
the king ; but his submission was voted not satisfactory, and
he was commanded to give in his defences next day to the lords
of the articles. When he came before them, and told that his
2

S-1 THE HISTORY OF THE <.ilU\'i,

defences were not yet ready, he was appoiuLtd to give them m
on Monday, April the 9th, otherwise the lords would take tlie
whole business before them, without any fegurd.to what he
should afterwards say. But it seems, on the day appointed, his
defences were given in, wherein the marquis's manag-ement is
vindicated from all the falsehoods, calumnies and misrepresen-
tations in the indictment. Mr Wodrow does not give an ab-
stract of them, because they contain thirteen sheets of small
print, but inserts a paper ^vhich contains the substance of them.,
of which I give the following abbreviate.

I?ifo7'matio?i for my Lord Argyle against the d'lttay given in
against him by the king''s advocate.

'• rff^HE deeds alleged to be done, either before, or since his

* -*- majesty left Scotland, were either of a public or private

* concern. As for the public, he never acted without tlie ap-
' probation of parliament and general assemblies, which were
' ratified by their late and present majesties. As to particular
' persons, he was never accessory to any thing but what is war-

* ranted by acts of parliament, approved by his majesty and his
' royal predecessors. As for actings, after his majesty left
' Scotland lCJ5i;the marquis was still a prisoner on dem.and, and

* did never capitulate till August 1652, being surprised in his

* house lying sick, and that long after the deputies had takeii
•• the tender, — and all others in arms had capitulated, and tlie

* whole kingdom was — under the power — of the usurper.

' The first deed is a speech in 1(340, — where it is atllrmed

* tliat he said. It was the opinion both of divines and lawyers

* that a king might be deposed. But it is not relevant to infer

* any crime, though those words had been spolcen in the abstract

* terms related, no more than if any should speak the tciiet of

* the Sorbonne or canon law, upon the pope's power. — This
' deed is 1640, the act of oblivion 1641.

' The 2d deed is the slighting the house of Airlie. — It is
'• answered. These houses were kept out in opposition to tlie
' committee of estates, and so might be destroyed — and the said

* service had the approbation of parliament 1641, rege present c —
' the king being present.

' The 3d deed is the taking, the castle of Dunbarton. — Tliis
«• was done by order of the committee of estates, and before tfie
' act of obli\aon. —

' As to the calling of a convention of estates, and going into
•■ Englaiid with an army. — This was done by the conser\'atorf
•• of the peace, secret council, and commissioners of public bur-
•• dwir, appointed by the king, — and ratified in parlio.ment since, —

CHAP. II. CHURCH or SCOTLANC. 85

' and was allowed by the king in his agreement at Breda, and
^ by his act of oblivion 10 51.

' As to tlie turning of Menstrie by his command, he denies
' any such command. Whereas it bears by men under his

* command, there is no law to make that treason, nor is it relevant
'' or reasonable : for noxa caput sequiUir^ et delicta suos tenet

* auctores. It was remitted by the act of oblivion 1651. And
' General Baillie had the command, whose service in that cxpe-
' dition was approved in parliament 1640. And though he had
' done this, he had commission from the parliament 1644.

* As to the taking of Towart and Escoge, and murdering c\
^ number of men after capitulation, it is answered. The marquis

* was not in the country, but in England, at that tim€. To the

* murdering of 200 men after the taking of Dunavertie, it is
' answered, that David Leslie had the com.mand there, and what
' was done was by a council of war, and Leslie's service was
*• approved by the parliament 1648.— That my lord Argyle

■'■ caused take 200 persons from Islay to Jura, v^here they pe-

* rished. This is false ; for he knew nothing of the matter,
' nor ever heard of it till he received his dittay.

^ To the giving up of the king at Newcastle, it is~answ^ered,

* It was a parliament deed, and — a voice in parliament cannot
' be censured — But the truth is, my Lord Argyle was not in
' Scotland when the king came to the Scots army at Newark—

* neither did the marquis ever meddle in that affair, but in the
' parliament 1647-

* As to. the protest in parliament 1648, calling in the secta-
' rian army, writing to Cromwell, — and emitti'ig a proclamation
' against certain families, it is answered. That there was no prc-
' test, but a declaration before tire vote, that the assembly ought
' to be consulted anent the engagement. — As for the letter, no
' answer can be given till the letter be seen ; and though there

* was a letter in the terms libelled, yet it is an act of the com-
' mittee ; and as matters went, the army being lost at Preston,
!" and the enemy lying on the border, if they had demanded the
' strengths of the kingdom, — it xvould not have becji refused. —
' Besides, he never saw Cromwell till 1658, and he was called
'in by the committee, and the marquis did what he could to

* stop his career. As to the — proclamations, nothing can be
' said, till they be produced. —

' To the clogging his majesty's proclamation, murdering
' Montrose, corresponding with Cromwell, and his accession to
' the act of the West-kirk and declaration, it is answered, Tliat

* it v.as the apt of the parliament then sitting by which the fir^t
' allegation was done, and the king ackricwledged that to be

* good service, by admitting the marquis to places of trust, and

* accepting the crown from liim.— As to Montrose he had no

Bfc THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. 11.

* accession to his death, or the manner of it. — His corresponding

* with Cromwell is false. — As to the act of the West-kirk, the

* marquis was at no committee of the kirk afteY his majesty's
' happy arrival, until they canrie to Perth, nor did he know of
' it. — As to the declaration — he advised the king to go as far as
' he could ; but would not advise him, for the world, to sign
' the declar.ition against his mind — and desires the Duke of
' Buc'aighim and the Ea 1 of Dunfermline's depositions may

* be taken herein, and his sacred majesty consulted as to the
' truth hereof.

' To the opposition to Glencalrn and Middleton, when ap-
' pearing for their king, and his joining with the English,— it is

* answered, That their commission was never intimated to him, —
' that he sent to Middleton to have a conference, but received
' no answer.— -—As to joining the English in their expedition
' to the hills, he denies any joining with them ; but being a
' prisoner, and required to be with them, he durst not refuse ;
' and denied any kind of acting either by council or deed.—- As
' for taking pay from the usurper, for a foot company, — General
' Monk allowed payment for one hundred soldiers to guard the
' country, and because they did not oppose the forces in the hills
' the general discharged payment. —

' As to the assisting at Richard Cromwell's proclamation, his
' receiving a precept of 12,0QG1. sterling, and sitting in the par-

* liament of England, it is ans^wered, He was not at all at Ri-
' chard's proclamation, but by command, indeed, he was at

* Oliver's, but not at Dunbarton. Being Monk's prisoner he
' was commanded to come to the English council, and assist at
'the proclamation, and could not i-efuse, without having his life

* and fortune made a prey. No law cj^n make this a crime, far
' less treason ; and it cannot be instructed, from any history, that
' a people overcome by an enemy, and commanded to do out-

* ward deeds of subjection, were ever que^itioned by their law-

* ful prince, when he hath pardoned the invader ; or that the

* subject should be prosecuted for doing what he, being a pri-

* soner, could not refuse, without hazarding life and fortune.

* The 12,000l. is falsely adduced. The parliament of Scotland

* gave the marquis, in payment of just debts, half of the excise

* on wine and strong waters. — As for his sitting in the parlia-

* ment of England after so long an usurpation, no precedent can

* be shewn, in any age in this country, whereby this was made

* a crime, far less treason. —

' To his forbidding to pray for the king, and the rest of the

* alleged speeches, it is answered, They are false and calumni-

* Gus. His parish-minister and chaplain did aKvays pvay for the

* king in the time libelled, and that in the face of the Eaglish. —

* The last head : It is basely false, and he opposes thereto

CHAP^ 11. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. SI

* the marquis's oath given in parliament 1649, ^d leaves it to

* all to judge how unlikely and improbable it is that he would
" speak any thing contrary to the oath that he had sworn.'

From this information some tolerable view may be had of
the defences of this worthy peer. Mr Wodrow declares that
he had it from a very good hand, that upwards of thirty different
libels were formed against him, for alleged injuries, oppres.
sions, and the like ; but, when they went to prove them, they
all came to nothing, so that, after their most diligent search,
-they were forced to fix upon his necessary compliance with the
Jlnglish, after Scotland had been obliged to yield to the con-
querors. Bishop Burnet says, that, in one speech, excusing his
coinpliance with Cnprnwell, he said. What could he think of that
matter, after a man so eminent in the law as his majesty's axi-
vocate had taken the engagement ? This inflamed the other so
much, that he called him an impudent villain, and was not so
much as chi4 for that barbarous treatment. Lord Argyle grave-
ly said, He had learned, in his afflictions, to bear reproaches j
and if the parliament saw no cause to condemn him, he was the
less concerned at the king's advocate's railing.

When he was brought to the bar, to receive his sentence, on
the 25th of Maj^, the house was very thin ; for all withdrew
except those who were resolved to follow the course of the
times. He put them in mind of the practice of Theodosius the
Emperor, who enacted, that the sentence of death should not be
executed till thirty days after it was passed ; and added, I crave
but ten, that the King may be acquainted with it. This was
refused ; and he was told that he must receive the parliament's
sentence kneeling. He immediately kneeled, and said, I will
in all humility. Then the sentence was pronounced, ' That he
' was found guilty of high treason, and adjudged to be execute

* to the death as a traitor, his head to be severed from his body,
' at the cross of Edinburgh, upon Monday the 27th instant, and

* affixed on the same place where the marquis of Montrose's
' head was formerly, and his arms torn before the parliament,

* and at the cross.' Upon this he offered to speak ; but, the
trumpets sounding, he stopped till they had ended, and then
said, * I had the honour to set the crown upon the King's head,
' and now he hsstens me to a better crown than his own.' And,
directing himself to the commissioner and parliamejit, he said,
' You have the indemnity of an earthly King among your hands,

* and have denied me a share in that ; but y.oji cannot hinder
^ rae from the indetnnity of the King of kings, and shortly you

* must be before his tribunal. — I pray he mete not out such

* measure to you, as you have done to me, when you are called

* to 5.ccount for all your actings, and this among the rest.'

S9 THE HISTORY OF tHE CHAP. 11.

• As for his compliance with Cromwell, it was so far from
bnng ti-easonable, that the advocate himself, and other lawyers,
had actuallj taken the engagement, and many of the members
of this parliament were equally guilty. Was it not therefore
strange, that a parliament should condemn one for a crime of
which so many of themselves were guilty, and that, of all the
compliers in Scotland, not onC v/as prosecuted hut this noble
peer ? What law will make compliance with a conqueror, for
the good and safety of the country, after all means of defence
are taken away, an act of treason ? It is therefore certain that
the sentence passed against the marquis was without all warrant
of law. Bat it seems it was necessary the foundation of pre-
key, and of those arbitrary measures now on foot, should be laid
in blood.

The marquis, after his sentence, was ordered to the common
prison, where his excellent lady was waiting for him. Upon
seeing her, he said, they have given ma till Monday to be with
you, my dear, therefore let us make for it. She, embracing
him, wept bitterly, and said, The Lord will require it, the Lord
will require it. Which drew tears from all in the room. But,
being himsdf composed, he said, ' Forbear, forbear ; truly I
' pity them ; they know not what thej' are doing. They may
' shut me in where they pleas 3, but they cannot §h]it out God
' from me. For my own part, I am as well content to be here
' as in the castle, and as content in the ca^stle as in tlic Tower of
' London, and as content there as when at liberty ; and I hope

* to be as content upon the scaffold as any of them all,' See.

He spent ail his short time, till Monday, with the greatest
serenity and cheerfulness, and in the proper exercises of a dying
Christian. He said to some ministers ^vho were permitted to
attend him, * That shortly they would envy him who was got
' before them ; and added, Mind that I tell it you, my skill fails
' me, if you who are ministers will not either suffer much, or
' sin much ; for though you go along with those men in part,
' if you do it not in all things, you are but where you werei,
' and so must suffer ; and if you go not at all with them, you
' shall but suffer.' At his ov/n desire, his lady took her leaVe
of him on Sabbath night. On Monday morning, though he
was much engaged in settling his affairs, .and in the midst of
cpmpanv, vet he was so overpowered with a sensible effusion of
the joy of the Holy Ghost, that he broke out in a rapture, and
said, ' I thought to liave concealed the Lord's goodness, but it
' will not do ; I am nov/ ordering my affairs, and God is seai-
^ ing my charter to a better inberitance, and just now saying to

* me, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forghen thcc.'' Some-
time before he went to the place of execution, he wrote a m.ost
rnoving Icttir to the king, and dined precisely at Uvcive with

CHAP. II. CIIUFXII CF SCOTLAND. Bff

his friends with the utmost cheerfulness, and then retired a little
in secret. Upon his opening the door, the R.ev. Mr Hutchison
said, ' What cheer, my lord ? Ke answered, ' Gopd cheer,

* Sir : the Lord hath again confirmed, and said to me, from hea-
'• ven, T/jj> sins he forgiven thee.'' Upon this tears of joj flowed
in such abundance, that he .retired to the window, and wept
there ; from that he came to the fire, and made as if he would
stir it a little, to conceal his concern, but all would not do, his
tears ran down liis face ; and coming to Mr Hutchison, he said,
in a perfect rapture, ' I think his kindness overcomes me ; but
' God is good to me, that he lets not out tco much of it here ;
' for he knows I could, not bear it. Get me my cloak, and let
' us go.' Upon receiving notice to come down, be called ior a
glass of wine, and asked a blessing upon it standing, and, in a
very little said, ' Now let us go, and God go with us.'

When he took leave of those in the room, who wxre not to
be with him on the scaffold, he said, I ' cculd die like a Roman,
' but chuse rather to die like a Christian. Conic awaj' gentle-
' men, he that goes first goes cleanliest.' When going dowti
stairs he called the Rev. Mr James Guthrie, who at parting
adckessed the marquis tluis, ' My lord, God hath been with

* you, he is Vvith ycu, and will be with you ; and such is my
*• respect for your lordship, that, if I were not under the sentence
' of death mjsflf, I coiild cheerfully die for your lordship.' So
they parted to meet again in a better place on the Friday fok
lowing. The marquis, attended by several noblemen and gen-
tlemen ail in black, mounted the scaffold, with the greatest se-
renity and gravity^ like one going to his father's house, and sa-
luted all that were upon it. Then ]Mr Hutchison prayed. After
that his lordship delivered a moving and pertinent speech with
the utmost composure, in Vv'hich, among other things, he said,
' I was real and cordial in my desires to bring tlie king home,

* and in uiy endeavours for liim when he was at home, and had
' no correspondence with the adversary's army, nor any of them,

* when his m.ajesty Avas in Scotland ; nor had 1 any accession to
' his late majesty's horidd and execrable murder. — I shall not
' speak much to these things for which I am condemned, lest I
' seem to condemn others. It is well known it is only for com-
' plianc.e, which was the epidemical fault of the nation. I wish

* the Lord to pardon them : I say no more : — God hath laid en-

' gagements upon Scotland : we are tied by covenants to re-

'• iigion and refonnation. — Those that were tlien unborn are yet
' engaged : — And it passeth the power of all the magistrates
*■ u/'jder heaven to abi^olve from the oath of God. — These times
' arc like either to be very sinning or very suffering times, and

* let Christians malie their choice. There is a sad dilemma in

* the business, sin or sufUrr ; and surely he lliat would chuse the

do THE HISTORY OT THE CHAP. 11.

' better part, will chuse to suffer : others that will chuse to sin,
' shall not escape suffering.' — When he had delivered his speech,
which is recorded at length in Naphtali *, Mr James Hamilton
prayed : after him his lordship prayed himself, and then took
his leave of all his friends on the scaffold, and having given the
executioner an handkerchief with some money, and small pre-
sents to his friends, he went to the instrument called The maiden^
kneeled down most cheerfully, and after he had prayed a little
he gave the signal, whereupon his head was severed from his
body, and then placed on the west end of the tolbooth, as a mo-
nument of the parliam.ent's injustice and the land's misery. His
body w-as delivered to his friends, and decently interred. Thus
died the noble marquis of Argyle, the proto-martyr for religion
after the Restoration, who was a great promoter of and support
to the covenanted work of reformation during his life, and sted-
fast in witnessing to it at his death.

I am next to relate the martyrdom of the Rev. Mr James
Guthrie minister at Stirling — Mr Guthrie was son to the laird
of Guthrie, a very ancient and honourable family. For some-
time he taught philosophy in the university of St Andrews,
where he gave sufficient proof of his being a good philosophel-
and an exact scholar. Though bishop Burnet says he was a
resolute and stiff man, yet my author assures us, that his temper
was very stayed and corriposed, and would reason upon the most
controverted points with great solidity, arid when every one
about him was warm, his temper was never ruffled ; and that he
had, perhaps, the greatest mixture of fervent zeal and sweet
calmness of any in his time. He was entirely prelatical in his
judgment when he first came to St Andrews ; but, by convers-
ing with the Rev. Mr Rutherford and others, and especially by
his joining the weekly societies there, for prayer and conference,
he was entirely brought off froni that way.

His conduct in the year 1650 and 1651 was now remem-
bered : but the i*eal spring of the hard measure this excellent
man met with, was the sentence of excommunication, which,
by appointment of the commission of the general assembly, he
had pronounced against the Earl of Middleton in the year 1650,
which Middleton never forgot ; and his personal resentment
abundantly discovered itself in his trial before the parliament.

In the beginning of the year 1601 Mr Guthrie wai; brought
to Edinburgh, and had his indictment given him for high trea-r
son by the king's advocate. It was read before him in the
house on the 20th qf February. The heads of it were, ' 1. Hi^
f contriving, consenting to, and exhibiting before the committee
• of estates, the paper called the western remonstrance. 2. Hi§

* A liook IntitUd Naphtali, or, The wrestlings of the Church of Scotl4^4.

CHAP. II. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 01

' contriving, writing and publishing that abominable pamphlet

* called, TJje causes of God's wrath. 3. His contriving, writing

* and subscribing a paper called. The humble petition., of the 23d
' of August last, when he was apprehended. 4. His convo-

* eating of the king's lieges at several times without warrant or
' authority, to the disturbance of the peace of the state and of
' the church. 5. His declaring his majesty, by his appeal and

* protestation, incapable to be judge over him, which he pre-
' sented at Perth. And, 6. Some treasonable expressions he was
' alleged to have uttered in a meeting 1G50 or 1651.' The cu-
rious reader will find the whole of his indictment and his de-
fences at large in Mr Wodrow's appendix.

His indictment being read, he made an excellent speech to
the parliament, of which I shall insert the following brief
abstract.

. My Lord Chancellory

* TT Being indicted — upon things alleged to be seditious and

* •*- treasonable, humbly desire, — that my lord commissioner
' ■ — will patientl}-, and v.'itliout interruption, hear me as to a
' few things I have to say for myself. — I am glad that the law^

* of God is named in the first place ;— I hope your lordship,
' in all your proceedings, will have most respect to this, that
' I may be judged by the law of God especially, and by other
' laws in subordination thereto.

' As to those laws — mentioned in the indictment, concern-
' ing his majesty's royal prerogative, — I hope — they are to be
' understood according to the sense and meaning given by pos-
' terior acts of parliament, — and— by our solemn public vows

* and covenants contracted with God by his majesty and his

* subjects. — I am first charged, in general, of sundry seditious
' and treasonable remonstrances, &:c. To which I say, that
' gcneralia non pugnant ; they can have no strength in the in-
' ferring of a crime or guilt, except-^they are instanced in par-
' ticulars.

' One thing there is in the general charge that I cannot and
' ought not to pass, to wit, that I have seditiously and traiter-

* ously purposed the eradicating and subverting of the funda-
' mental government, &cc. — Jt is an unjust charge ; there wa$
' never any such purpose or design in my heart. — As I had

* never any compliance with the councils or designs of the late
' usurping powers against his majesty's royal father or him-
^ self, — so there was no part of their imgcdly and unjust

* actings, but I did, in my station and calling, bear open and
^ public testimony against, both by word and writing. My
-* Lord, — I can hardly refrain expressing som_e grief of spirit,*
(here he gives an account of what he suffered vmder the usiu:-

S)2 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IL

pation) ' that, r.otwithstariding all those things, I shoiild now
^ siand indicted before ycur lordships, as intending the eradi-

* eating and 'subverting of the ancient civil government of this
'nation. — The God of heaven knows that I am ^ free of this

* charge, and I defy all the v/orld, allov.ung me justice and fair
' proceeding, wliich I hope your lordships will, to make out
' the same against mc.

' The first particular whercv>dth I am charged, — is, tliat I

* did compile _and di^aw up a paper, commoiily called. Tic
■* Remonstrance^ and presented it, or caused it to be pi-esent-
*■ ed to his majesty and committee of estates the 22d of Oc-
' fober 1650. — I never did compile or contrive that remon-
' s trance, nor did I present it, or cause it to be presented —
' then, or at any other time. I indeed, being a member of the
^ commission of the general assembly, when they gave their
' judgment upon it, did dissent from their sentence, which can-
' not be reckoned any culpable accession thereto, every man
' being free, without hazard of punishment, to give his judg-
' mcnt freely in the judicature whereof he is a member. —

' Tlie next particular I am charged with, is the book of the
■* reuses of GocVs wrath^ especiall}'- the 5ch and Gth articles.^ —
•• But I humbly profess to your lordship, and this honourBble
^ court o/ parliament, — 1. That — my accession thereunto did
"' not flov.' from any disrespect uulo, or dissatisfaction with, his

* majesty's person or government, — but merely and singly from

* a constraining power of conscience, to be found' faithful, as a
"' minister of the gospel, in the discovering of sin and guiltiness,
' that it being taken with, and repented of, wrath might be ta-
' ken away from the house of the king, and from these king-

■' doms.^ — Next, ynj lord, I wish' it may be seriously pondered,
' that nothing is a§Gertcd in these causes, as matters of sin and

' ' duty, but what hath been the common and received doctrine
' of the ch-urch of Scotland.

' The ;)d particular — is the supplication at Edinburgh, Au-
' gust the 23d, to which I acknowledge my accession, but de-

* nv it to be treasonable or seditious, because — it doth contain

* nothing but a humble petition concerning those things to
'•• which his majesty aiid all the subjects of this kingdom are

' engaged, by the solemn and indispensiblc oath of the covc-
' nant, witli a sober and serious repicsenta'cion of the danger
*,that threatens religion — ^Tbe indictmenl is pleased to say, that
' f charged his majestj with dissinvulation and perjury j but

* there is no sudi thing in the supplication, which doth only

* put him in remembrance of holding fast the oath of the co-

* venaM.

' Ag to v.'bat is alleged against the lawfulness of our meet-

* Jnr. — That meeting cannot fall within those acts of parlia-

IHAP. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 93

' ment that strike against unlav/ful conventions -, becaxise everj
'- meeting, for business in itself lawful, is agreeable to the
*• word of God, and the law^s of the land, and, wlien kept ^vith-
' out tumult and multitude, such as that was, needs no parti-
^ cular, warrant from authority ;— yea, sucl> meetings are cleai'lv
*■ exempted from a breach o'f those acts of parliament, by a pcs-
'' terior aqt of parliament, vi'-z. Act 29. pari. 2. Charles I.

' As to the last pr.rticular in my indictment, viz-, my declin-'
' ing his majesty's authority, I confess I did decline the civil
' magistrate as a competent judge of ministerial doctrine in th.e
*• first instance. His authority in all things civil I do with all

* my heart acknowledge. — But that the declining of the civil

* magistrates being a judge of minister's doctrine, in the first.
' instance, may appear not treason and sedition, but lawful rani

* warrantable, I humbly offer, 1. That such declinatures are

* agreeable to — God's word, and to the confession of faith, and
' and doctrine /of this church confirmed and ratifi^M in parlia-
' ment. — And the-refore it hath been the ordinary practice cf
' this kirk, in such cases, to use such declinatures since tlic

* time of the reformation from popery. 2. Such declinatures
' are agreeable to, and founded upon the national covenant, ?.tA

* and solemn league and covenant, by which the king's min-
' jesty himself, and all the subjects of this kingdom, are bound

* to maintain the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government
' of this church. — Upon these grounds I did give in, and do as-
*■ sert that declinatare for vincH'cating the crown, dignity and
' royal prerogative of Jesus Christ, — but witli all due respect

* to his majesty, his greatness and avithority.

' As to that act of parliament l^S-1-, it was m-?.de at a tinr.e
' v\dien the settled government of this church — was wholly
' overturned — and hath been often repealed — and stands repeal-
*• ed nov/, at the down-sitting of this parliament. It was re-

* versed 1592 — and by the 4tli act, pari. 2. Charles I. and by
' the 0th act, pari. 2. Charles 1. —

' The sum of what I have said I comprise in these two, 1.
' That I did never purpose, or intend to speak or act anythimr

* disloyal, seditious or treasonable, against his majesty's per-
' son, authority or govei-nment, God is my witness. — Next —

* I have founded my speeches, and writings, ajid actings in Ihost
' matters, on the word of God, and on the doctrine, confeL--
' sions of faitli, and lav\'-s of this church and kingdom, upon the
' national covenant of Scotland, and the solemn league and co-
' venant between the three kingdoms of Scotland, England a^^

* Ireland. If these foundatioi>s fall, I must £ill w ith thrin i
•• but if these sustain and stand in judgment, as I hope they
'' v/ill, I cannot acknowledge myself, neither, I hopfe, will hi?
- :;:i?.jesty's comnmsioncr, and tbe honourable court cf parlia^^

94 THE HISTORY OF tHE CHAP. II.

* men'i, judge me guilty of sedition. and treason, notwithstand-
' ing any thing contained in the indiitment.'

This pointed and pathetical speech had some influence upon
several of the members of the house ; but his death was design-
ed. It was resolved, says bishop Burnet, to make a public
example of a preacher, and so he was singled out.

On the lith of April, when the process against him was
t-ead in the house, he immediately delivered a speech, so affect-
ing and close to the purpose, which though it had not the in-
fluence that might have been expected, made such impressions
upon many of the members, that they withdrew, declaring to
one anothei", as they went out of the house, that they would
have nothing to do with the blood of this righteous man : but
his judges Were determined to proceed, and accordingly, at that
very time his indicimeut was found relevant. Bishop Burnet
says, ' Tlie Earl of Tweeddale was the onl}- man that moved
' against putting him to death. He said, banishment had been
' hitherto the severest censure that had been laid on the preachers
' for their opinions,'-^yet he was condemned to die. Though the
day of his, execution was not named till tlie 2Sth of May, when
the parliament ordained ' Mr James Guthrie and William Go-
' van, to be hanged at the cross of Edinburgh, Saturday June 1,
' and the head of the first to be affixed on the Nether-bow, his
' estate to be confiscate, and his arms torn, and the head of the

* second on the West-port of the city of Edinburgh.' A gentle-
man, who v/as present at the trial, told my informer, one of
the present ministers of Aberdeen, that when Mr Guthrie re-
ceived his sentence upon his knees, he rose up with ciieerful-
ness, and thus addressed tlie parliament, * My lords, may ne-
ver this sentence more affect you than it does me^ and let never
my blood be required of the king's family.'

The iniquity of this sentence is very obvious : nay, the king
himself was so sensible of his good services to him and his in-
terest, when at the lowes-<, and of the parliament's severity,
that, when he got notice of it, he asked with some warmth,
and what have you done with Mr Patrick Gillespie ? it was
answered, that Mr Gillespie had so many friends in the house,
his life could not be taken. Well, said the king, if I had
known, you would have spared Mr Gillespie, I would have
spared IVlr Guthrie. But had his majesty known his true in-
terest, he would have put tlie management of his affairs into
other hands.

Mr Guthrie was in a most -serene frame all the time be-
tween his sentence and during his execution on the 1st of June.
Dr Burnet, who was present at his execution observes, that he
was so far from shewing any fear, that he rather expressed a

CHAP. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 95

contempt of death ; that he spoke an hour upon the ladder, with
the composedness of one delivering a sermon, rather than his
last words. His last speech and testimony is in Naphtali,
where, among other things becoming a mai'tjr for the cause of
Christ, he saith, * One thing I would warn you all of, that
' God is — very wroth with Scotland, and threateneth to de-
' part and remove his candlestick. The causes of his wrath are

* many, and would to God it were not one great cause, that

* causes of wrath are despised. — Consider the case that is re-

* corded, Jer. xxxvi. and the consequence of it, and tremble
' and fear. I cannot but also say, that there is a great addi-

* tion of wrath. 1. By that deluge of profanity that overflow-

* eth all the land — in so far that many have lost not only all
' use and exercise of religion, but even of morality. 2. By

* that horrible treachery and perjury that is in the matter of the
' covenant and cause of God, and work of reformatioru £e

* astonished^ 0 ye heavens^ at this^ i^c. 3. Horrible ingrati-

* tude. The Lord, after ten years oppression — hath broken the

* yoke of strangers from off our necks, but — the fruit of our

* delivery — ^is to work wickedness, and strengthen our hand to

* do evil- 4. A most dreadful— sacrificing to the creature.

* We have changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the

* image of a corruptible man, in whom many have placed al-
' most all their salvation — and have' tvirned that which might
' have been a blessing — into an idol of jealousy, by preferring

* it before him, God is also wroth with a generation of car-

* nal, corrupt, time-serving ministers. I know, and bear tes-
' timony, that in the church of Scotland there is a true and

* faithful ministry-— and I pray you to honour — these for their

* Work's sake. — 'But, oh ! that there were not too many who

* mind earthly things, and are enemies to the cross of Jesuj

* Christ, who push with the side and shoulder, who strenghten

* the Hands of evil doers, who make themselves transgressors,

* by studying to build again what they did formerly warrant-

* ably destroy, I mean, prelacy, and the ceremonies, and the

* service-book, a mystery of iniquity that works amongst us,

* whose steps lead into the house of the great whore Babylon,

* the mother of fornications : or whosoever else he be that build-

* eth this Jericho again, let him take heed of the curse of Hiel
' the Bethelite, lind of that flying roll threatened, Zech. v. Stc. —
' I do bear my witness unto the national covenant of Scotland-

* and solemn league and covenant betwixt the three king-
*' doms.— These saered, solemn, public oaths of God, I be-
' lieve, can be loosed nor dispensed V\'ith by no person, or

* party, or power upon earth, but are still binding upon
' these kingdoms, and will be for ever hereafter, and are ra-

* tified and sealed by the c'onversion cf many tiiousand souls

2

96 ^ THE HISTOia- OF THE CHAP. If.

' since our entering thereinto. I bear my witness to the pro-
' testation against the controverted assei-nblics, and the public
' resolutions — I take God to record, upon my soul, I \vould

* not exchange this scaffold with the palace or mitre of the

* greatest prelate in Britain. Blessed be God who hath shew-
' ed mercy to such a wretch, and has revealed his Son in me,
' and made me a minister of the everlasting gospel, and that he

* hath deigned, in the midst of much contradiction from Satan
' and the world, to seal my ministry upon the hearts of not a

* few of his people ; and especially in the station wherein I was
' last, I mean the congregation and presbytery of Stirling. —
' Jesus Christ is my light and my life, my righteousness, my
' strengtli and my salvation, and all my desire. Him ! O him,
' I do with all the strength of my soul commend unto 3-011. — •
^ Bless him^ 0 my soul! from henceforth^ even for ever.'' He
concl'.ided with the Avords of old Simeon, Noiv let thy sei-vant
depart in peace., since mine eyes have seen thy salvation.

At the same time was executed the above mentioned Wil-
liam Govan, in some papers called Captain Govan, who was
reckoned a pious good man. There were different accounts
of the reasons why the parliament condemned him. In his
last speech, he says, ft was for laying down his arms at Ha-
milton, as all the company did ; and takes notice, that he car-
ried up Montrose's standard"lhrougli the streets of Edinbnrgh.
It was alleged that he was present on the scaffold when King
Charles I. was beheaded ; but to the conviction of all, he
proved himself to be elsewhere. His last spseeh, being omit-
ted in Nai)l)tali, is inserted by Mr Wodrow in his appendix.
When he went up the ladder, he said, < Dear friends, pledge
' this cup of sufteri:;g before you sin, as I have done ; for

* sin and suHering have been presented to me, and I have

* chosen the suffering part.' The rope being about his neck,
he said, * Now I am near my last, and I desire to reftcct on

* no man ; 1 would only acquaint you of one thing: the com-

* missioner and I went out to the field together for one cause ;

* I have now the cortl about my neck, and he is promoted to

* be i^.is majesty's connnissioner, yet for a thousand worlds I

* would not change lots with him, praise tmd glory be to

* Christ for ever.' After he again prayed a little, lie gave
the sign, and was turned over. He concluded his last speech
with these words ; ' I bear witness with my blood to the per-

* scented government of this church, in general assemblies,

* synods, and presbyteries, and also to the protestation against
« the public resolutions. I bear witness to the covenants na-

* tional and sokunn league, and now am to seal them with my

* blood. I likewise testily against aH popery, prelacy, idoUi-

* try, superstition, and the service-book : for 1 have not takeiJ^

CHAP. II. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 97

* a little pains in searching out those things, and have found

* them to be but the relics of Romish superstition and idola-

* try, left in King Henry Vlllth's time '

Mr Wotlrovv says it was confidently affirmed, that some
weeks after Mr Guthrie's head had been fixed upon the Neth-
er-bow-port, the Commissioner's coach coming down that
way, several drops of blood fell from the head upon the top
of the coach, which all their art and diligence could not wipe
off; and that when physicians were consulted, whether any
natural cause could be assigned for such a strange phenome-
non, they declared they could think of none. This odd inci-
dent beginning to be talked of, and all methods being tried
in vain to wipe the blood off, at last the leather was removed
and anew cover put on, which indeed was much easier done,
than to wipe the guilt of this innocent blood froni those who
were accessory to the shedding it.

On the loth the proclamation fcir keeping the 29th of May
was published. On the 22d the solemn league and covenant
was by order of the tv»'o houses of the English parliament
burnt with triumph at London, by the hand of the common
hangman ; and thus the king's perjury was published in the
lace of the sun. The 29th of May was observed with the
greatest solemnity at Edinburgh ; but it is well known that
the church of Scotland, since the Reformation, had still vigo-
rously opposed the observation of anniversary holy-days, even
though they were set apart in honour of Christ himself, such as
Ch) istmas and Easter ; they could never therefore think of do-
ing that for their king, which our Saviour did not requireto
be done for himself Besides, this was a most dismal day to
Scotland, being the triumph of the wicked between the unjust
execution of Argyle and Mr Guthrie.

Many worthy gentlemen sufPeredgi-Catly during this session
cf parliament, merely for compliance, which every one was
obliged to give during the usurpation. In January the lairds
of Arkinglass and INlaccondochy were forfeited. On the 1st
of February, the indictment against the Lord Waristoun,
William Dundas, and John Hume, was read in the house,
none of them being present. Waristoun was forfeited, and
his forfeiture was publicly proclaimed at the cross of Edin-
burgh, by the heralds, on the 13th of May. The indictment
was much to the same purpose with that against the INIarquis
of Argyle. On the 22d of February, tlje laird of Swintoii
was brought before the parliament, and, when ^lis indictment
was read, had a very accurate and pointed speech in his own
vindication, which so effectually pi-evailed upon them, that
they recommended him to the king as a fit object of his mer-
cy -, and, according to Mr Wcdrow, the papists at court in-

VOL. I. G

98 THE HISTORY op the chap, n,

terposed in the quaker's belialf, and he had favour shewn him,
lliough he had as great a share in joining with the usurper,
as any man in the kingdom. Such was the partiality of those
times ! for Httle or no fa%'our was shewn to those wlio had
been active in the work of reformation, and faithfully adher-
ed to tlicir principles ; as appears from the treatment several
eminent ministers and others met with, which I am now t^-)
relate, beginning with those who were apprehended with jNI'r
Guthrie on the 23d of August last. Though one or two of
them fainted, and, upon making some verbal acknowledge-
nientfi, were ]-*ermitted to retire to their own habitations, yet
others suffered greatly for their faithfulness, particularly Mr
Alexander Moncrieff'and Mr Robert Trail-.

Diu-ing the usurpation, Mr Alexander Moncrieff, minister
at Scoonie*in Fife, endured much persecution for his attach-
liient to the royal family. He was then hunted as a partridge
iij">on the mountains, and suffered imprisonment for praying
lor the king ; but all the return he had, was to be apprehend-
ed when petitioning according to law. He had his indict-
ment given him about the sam-c time with Mr Guthrie. No
solicitations could move him to retract his principles, though
liis life was in danger ; and when the Earl of Athole and
others told his wife that it was impossible to save his life, if
lie did not recede from some things, this excellent woman an-
swered, * That they all knew she was happy in a good hus-
« band ; that she had great affection to him, and many chil-

* dren j yet she knew him to be so stcdfast in his principles,
' where his conscience was concerned, that no body needetl
< to deal with him upon that head ; for her part, before she

* would contribute any thing that would break his peace wilh
' his Master, she woukl ralher chuse to receive his head at

* the cross.' However, providence so over-ruled this afliur,
that his life w-as spared ; but then he was declared to be Ihv
ever incapable of exercising any public trust, civil or ecclesi-
astical, and discliarged from going to his parish ; and all this
for owning his accession to the remonstrance and causes of
God's wrath. Many were the hardships he underwent, and
as many the preservations he met with after this., as we sharl
relate.

About the beginning of March, iVIr Robert Trail, INIr
John Stirling, and other ministers were before the lords of
the articles : but it seems none of ti>em were brought before
the parliament except Mr Tiail, who was indicted for high
treason, for being concerned in the remonstrance 16.30, in the
book of the causes of God's wrath, in the supjilication oi
August last, and in the impcrlect scroll of a letter and instruc-
tions which were Ibimd at that meeting.

CHAP. ir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 99

Mr Trail, as appears from his speech in the house, was one
of those who declared against the tender, when iniposed in
the time of the usurpation, and always endeavoured to keep
in mind that great precept, Fear God, and honour the kino-.
As to the remonstrance, he told them, ' That he was neither

* at the contriving nor presenting of it ; that he was at that
' time besieged in the Castle of Edinburgh, by the unjust in-
' vaders of the land. That he run a very great hazard, oy a

* ilangerous wound he received in the defence of his king and

< country. As to the book of the causes of God's wrath, he

< owned that he was present at that meeting when those
« things were spoke of, and confessed, and mourned for, and-

* prayed against ; but he could not see that this was either

* treasonable or seditious. As to what is said in the book, of

* closing a treaty with the king, after he had given such evi-

* dences of his disaffection and enmity to the work of God,

* lie said. That he never denied his majesty's just right and

* title to these kingdoms, but always acknowledged him to be

* the only riohteous heir : but that he thought thei'e was not

* care enough taken to get hira brought off from his preju-

* dices against the work of reformation. — The next article in

* that book, coiicerning taking maljgnants into the army and

* judicatories, he said, There is nothing asserted there, but

* what is consonant to the word of God, and the received

* doctrine of tliis church. — For, if it be a commanded duty
« to put into places of trust and power, men fearing God,
f men of truth, and hating covetousness, then the neglect

* thereof must be a sin, ami so a cause of wrath. As to the

* supplication in August last, he said he most cheerfully sub-

* scribed it, as a testimony of his loyalty to his king, and of

* his ardent desire to have wrath kept from his throne and

* dominions, by a humble minding him of the sacred ties of
' the covenant, and by earnestly supplicating him to walk ac-

* cording to them both in his court and family, and in the

* government of his kingdoms — ^As to the imperfect scroll cf

< a letter and instructions found in their meeting, he acknow-
« ledgod they were intended to be sent to some of their breth-

< rcn, in another part of the country, for procuring their sub-

* cription to their petition, without the least thought of dislo}'-
*alty.; ^ , _

This is the sum and substance of his defence ; from which
it planly appears how unjustly he and others were at that
time charged with treason. Whether the parliament passed
any sentence against him at this time, my author does not
say; only it appears that he v.-as in prison after the fossiou
was over.

100 THE HISTORY Of THE CHAP. 11.

Mr John Murray, minister at Melhven, who was at tlio
meeting in Augnst last, was likewise charged with high trea-
son ; but what the issue of the process was is not known.

But the ministers who were apprehended in August hist
were not the only sufferers during this session ; for Mr Jamcs^
Simpson, minister at Airth, who had been apprehended at
Port-patrick, after a copy of his indictment was sent to him
to answer in prison, was, by this parliament, banished the
king's dominions, without being allowed a hearing, or so much
as being summoned before them. He died in Holland, and
so had the same fate with tlie Rev. IVIr Mac ward, whose sin-
gular case I am now briefly to relate.

Mr Robert Macward, minister at Glasgow, was remark-
able for his learning, zeal, and other ministerial abilities.
This good man observing the design of the managers, to over-
turn the whole covenanted work of reformation, in February
gave a faithful and seasonable testimony against the glaring
defections of the times, in an excellent sermon in the Tron-
church of Glasgow, from Amos iii. 2. He concluded his
sermon with these w-ords : * As for my own part, as a poor
' member of this church of Scotland, and an unworthy mini-
' ster in it, I do this day Call you, who are the people of God,

* to witness that I humbly offer my dissent to all acts which
' are, or shall be passed against the covenants, and work of

< reformation in Scotland ! And, 2. protest that I am desi-

* rous to be free of the guilt thereof, and pray that God may
^ put it upon record in heaven.' This sermon, especially this
conclusion of it, made great noise, and therefore he was
brought into Edinburgh under a guard, and committed to
prison, and soon after had an indictment given him by his
majesty's advocate, for sedition and treasonable preaching.

When he was before the parliament, June 6'th, he deliver-
ed himself with great eloquence and judgment, as his very
enemies acknowledged -, and among ottier tiling?, said, * I

< humbly desire it may be considered, that a ministerial pro-

* testation against, or dissent from any act, or acts, which a
« minister knows, and is convinced to be contrary to the word

* of God, is not a legal impugnation of that or those acts,

* much less of the authority enacting them, which it doth ra-

* ther pre-suppose, than deny or impugn ; but it is a solemn

* and serious attested declaration or witness and testimony

* against the evil and iniquity of these things ; which, by the

< word of God, is a warrantable practice, and here, and at
« this time, a necessary duty : and for which way of protest-
' ing or testifying, or witnessing, a minister hath the prophets
' a pattern for his imitation, as is clear, 1 Sam. viii. 9. i/sto-

* heit^ yet protest solc?milj/ unto them, and shexv them tJie manner.

CHAP. II. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 101

* of the king that shall reign over them. Where the Lord, to

* signify his great resentment find disUke at the peoples

* course and carriage towarck liim, commands the prophet,

* in his name, to protest against their procedure. Ho-jobeif,

* yet protest soleinnlj/ unto them, saith he, or, as the words
' are rendered on the margin of our Bible, NotiGithstand-

* /??o-, ivhen thou hast protested solemnly against them, &c.

* which reading seems best to agree, both with the scope, aud

< what is said verse 19. It is clear also, Jer. xi. 7. when the

* Lord sums up all liis serious exhortations to obey his voice,

* and all his sharp exjiostulations for not obeying his voice,

* and keeping his covenant, in this very term of protesting

* earnestly : For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the

* day^ ($'ۥ rising up early, and protesting, saying. Obey my

* voice. So that my protestation, testimony and dissent, not

* being without a precedent practice in the prophets, and so

* not without divine precept, cannot be called, nor ought to

* be accounted a contravention of the acts libelled in tlie in-

* dictmeut ; neither can I, for this, come under the lash of

* tlie law, unless it be said and asserted, which I know will

* be denied with abhorrence and detestation, that these acts

* do discharge, under pain of treason, what God the supreme

* lawgiver commands his servants to do, under pain of his

* displeasure, as they would not, by their unfaithful silence,

* lose their own, and betray the souls of others ; so that, take

< the word protesting, in the scripture sense, for solemn de-

< daring and witnessing against sin, and for duty, in which

* sense alone I take it, it will not be liable to any just excep-

* tion — there being nothing more frequent in the word, than

* such protesting, declaring, and witnessing against sin, and
« for duty. — And besides it will not a little contribute to re-

* move what matter of offence is taken at the m.anner of my

* testimony, because in the term of dissenting, and protesting,

* if it be considered, tliat all the reformed churches of Christ
■< this day have their denomination and distinction from the

* church of Rome, from a solemn public protestation against

< the decree which v.as made by Charles V. and the estates

< of the empire at , anno , in prejudice to religion

* and reformation, though I do not plead a perfect parallel

* between this and that.

* As to the matter of my protestation — My practice seems

* neither contrary to reason nor religion, but consonant to

* both ; it being commonly taken as a principle, rather than

< tossed as a problem, that where there is a jus quccsitwn

* domino, it is competent, incumbent and necessary, lor the

* servant and ambassador, in the behalf and interest of his
« lord and master^ to dissent from, and protest against all

* acts made to the prejudice of that right. But so it is, that

102 THE HISTOllY OF THE CHAP. II.

* there was a right acquired to tlie Lord my niabtcr, whose

* servant and ambassador I am, though most unworthy, to

* wit, the confirmation civil of those covenants and vows,

* made to and with him, for rcfonnation in this church, ac-

* cording to his will revealed in his word, and the obligation

* civil of the lieges thereunto, by the interposition of civil au-

* thority : therefore 1 humbiy conceive, that as a right cannot,

* at least ought not, to be taken away in prejudice to n» third

* party, so far less in things concerning the Lord, and his in-

* terests, the public faith of tlie kingdom being engaged to

* God to promote and secure that : so that in this case, for

* me to have protested tor my Master's interests, to whom

* there was civil right made, and to dissent from all acts prc-

* judicial to the same, will, I hope, be thought to be the duty

* of the man who desires to approve himself to God, and who

* expects, in the day of his accounts, the approbation -of Jl'ell

* do?ie, good and faithful servant.''

Mr Sharp and his friends resolved now to be rid, as nuicli
as possible, of the most eminent of the presbyterian ministers,
and therefore Mr IN'lacward was banished ; however he was
allowed to continue six months in the natioji, one of whicli
only in Glasgow, and had power given him to leceive the
following year's stipend at his dc}nuture. Accordingly he
submitted to the sentence, and transported himself and family
lo Rotterdam ; where, upon the death of the Rev. Alexander
Pctrie, (the author cf a compendious history of the Catholic
church, from the 6('0, .to 1600, printed at the Hague 1662,)
lie became minister of the Scots congregation there, where
he wrote a history of this church, during his own time, which
if it had been published, and not concealed by tlic inconside-
rate or ill designing custodier thereof, might have been of very
singular use, and superseded ail other histories ibr that time.
Lie died about twenty years after this, having been e:i:incjitly
useful in his day and gene: ation.

'jluis the acts of tiiis parliament were spaled with blood,
and with the many tears of numbers, who had their beloved
pastors violently taken froni them and banished into foreign
countries, and that merely for the testimony of h good con-
science. But that the reader may have another proof of the
])artiality of this parliament, 1 cannot oniit the case of Mr
Patrick Gillespie.

He was first minister of the town, and prineijial of the
college of Glasgow, a man of great learning, solidity, and
piety. It is plain that he made great com}>]iances with Crom-
well during the usurpation, and thcrel'ore we need not be
surprised that he was prosecuted by the present managers,
^vhcn so manVj ^ho had fn-mlv adhered tc the kind's ijitcrcst.

«fL\P. H. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. I0:>

were so ingiatefutly used. Besides, he was against the public
resolutions, and had no small share in the western remon-
strance. We took notice of his imprisonment last year. On
the 6th of Mar<;h this year, he was brought before the parlia-
ment, and his indictment was read, containing his compiling
and subscribing the western remcnstance, his consenting to
the pamphlet called, The cmcses of GocV s of' imath, his constant
correspondence witii Cromwell, &c. But he had friends in
the house, and favour was shewn him. It must indeed bo
owned that he sadly departed from his former testimony ; tor
he acknowledged ' he had given offence to his majesty by the

* remonstrance, and otherwise, which he now was jorry for,

* and did disclaim, and therefore cast himself upon the king's

* mercy, &;c.' The parliament, upon this, interceeded for
him, and in a httle time he was taken, out of prison, but con-
iined to Ormiston and six miles round it. His acknowledge-
ment gave just offence to many, who looked upon it as an in-
stance of great fainting, in a person of his forv.urdness, zeal
and activity in former years.

The parliament rose on the 12-th of Jul}', after which the
manaoement of affairs were lodged in the hands of the coun-
cil. On the last day of .Ji^ly their acts wei'c proclaimed, with
great solemnity, at the cross of Edinburgh. During all this
session, the;re was not the least motion made for an act of in-
demnity ; the secret whereof accoiding to Bishop Burnet,
was this, that, since diocesan episcopacy was to be set up, and
as those who were most like to oppose it were, on other ac-
counts, obnoxiousj it was thought best to keep ihem under
that fear, till the change should be made.

I shall conclude this cliaptei- with some account of the great
Mr Rutlierford, vuho.died about tlie end of March this year,
and may very justly come in an^o^g the si^lierers during this
session of parliament, for he was certmnly a martyr, both in
his own resolution, and in the design of the managers.

TJiis pious and learned, diligent and faithful minister of
•Cln-ist, .was a gentleman by extraction, and gave early proofs
of his great abilities j for, when he was very you pg, he was
pitched upon for a profession of philosophy m the college of
Edinl)in-gh, where he was educated. From thence he was
called to the ministry at Anwoth, and entered on that charge,
by the means of the then Viscount of Kenmure, without com-
ing under any engagement to the prelate. There he labour-
ed with great diligence ajid much success, and there he wrote
liis Exercilaiiancs apdoicticcc.

The prelates vverc so heterodox, as to accuse him for wri(-
ing that book, a,nd so a})ostatized, as to find fault with him for
preaching against the sins of the land. He was cuuunon. d

104? THE HISTORY OF THE CtlAP. II,

before the high commission-court 1636, and upon declining
its authority, as none of the courts of Christ, was deposed
from his ministry, and sent prisoner to Aberdeen ; where,
says my author, the doctors found, to their confusion, that
the Puritans were clergymen as well as they. It was from
ihcnce that he wrote many of his admirable letters to his
friends.

Upon the great turn of affairs 1638, he was restored to his
former charge at Anwoth, and soon after appointed professor
of divinity at St Andrews by the general assembly. He was
likewise called to be colleague in the ministry with the worthy
Mr Blair, And b}' the indefatigable pains of Mr Ruther-
ford, both teaching in the schools, and preaching in the con-
gregation, St Andrews, the seat of the aichbishop, and so
the nursery of all superstition, error and profaneness, soon
became, as my author expresses it, a Lebanon, out of which
were taken cedars for building the house of God through the
tvhole land.

He was one of the commissioners sent by the general as-
sembly of the clun-ch of Scotland to the assembly of divines
at Westminster, where he was held in great reputation. In
the year 1651, upon the death of the learned Mr Dematius,
llie magistrates of Utrecht being abundantly satisfied as to
the learning, piety, and zeal, of this great man, invited him
to the divinity chair there. But he chose rather to suffer af-
fliction in his own country, than to leave his flock and charge
in time of danger. And therefore he continued at home till
ihey day of his death.

The parliament this year 1661, were to have an indictment
laid before them against this eminent person ; for after his
book, Lex Bca-, had been ordered to be burnt at the cross of
Edinburgh, and at the gate of the new college of St Andrews,
where he was divinity professor ; they most barbarously or-
dered him to be summoned before them, to answer to a
charge of high-treason, though every body knew he was then
in a dying condition ; but, says Mr Wodrow, he had a higher
tribunal to appear before, where his judge was his friend.
Accordingly he died on the S^9th of March, the very day be-
fore the act recissory was passed, and so was taken away from
the evil to come.

Some of his last words are these, * I shall shine, I shall

* sec him as he is, and all the fair company with him, and

* shall have my large share. It is no easy thing to be a Chris-

* tian ; but, as for me, I have got the victory, and Christ is

* holding forth his arms to embrace me. 1 have had my
' fears and faintings, as another sinful man, to be carried

* through creditably ; but as cure as ever he spoke to me ia

CHAP. II. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 105

* liis word, his Spirit witnessed to ir.y heart, saymg. Fear ?iot^
' he hath accepted my suffering, and tlic out gate should not
' be matter of prayer but of praise.' He said also, Thy word

* was found, and I did eat it, and it was to me the joy and

< rejoicing of my heart.' A little before liis death, after some
fainting, he said, ' Now I feel, I believe, I enjoy, I rejoice.'
Turning to his colleague Mr Blair, he said, < I feed on

* manna, I have angels food, nn'ne eyes shall see my Redeem-
« er. I know that he shall stand, at the latter day, upon the
' earth, and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet him in

< tlie air.' Afterwards he had these words, ' I sleep in Christ,

* and when I awake I shall be satisfied v.ith his likenes* O

* for arms to embrace him !' And to one speaking of his
painfulness in the ministry, he cried out, < I disclaim all, the
' port I would be in at, is redemption and forgiveness of

< sins through his blood.' His last words were, f Glory, glory,

* dwelleth in Irnmanuel'sland.' He regretted, when near his
end, that he had not the honour of giving a public testimony
to tlie work of reformation since tlie year 1638, and against
the lamentable defections -^f the present times.

Thus lived the great Mr Rutherford a life of conmiunion
with God, and died in full assurance. The letters which he
left behind him discover what manner of spirit he was of j
and, however, they are the ridicule of the graceless and pro-
fane, like pearls before swine, yet they breathe an uncommon
spirit of piety and seraphic love to his Lord and Master, and
are much calculated for the support, encouragement and com-
foi't of serious Christians, under their sorest afflictions.

C H A P. II r.

Of the proceedings of the Council ami the regal erection of
Prelacy^ together voith the Sufferings of Gentlemen and Mi^
nisters during (he rest of the yea?:

npHE day after the parliament rose, his majesty's priv}--
-^ council met at Holyrood-house The following is a list
of them, the Earl of Glcncairn, chancellor, Earl of Crawford,
treasurer. Earl of Rotlies president of the council, the Dukes
of Lenox and Hamilton, the Marquis of Montrose, Earls Lau-
derdale, secretary, Errol, Marschal, Mar, Athole, Mortoun,
Eglinton, Cassils, Caithness, Murray, Linlithgov/, Hume,
iPerth, Dunfermline, Wigtoun, Kelly, Roxburgh, Hadding-
ton, Tullibardin, Wcems, Southesk, Hartfield, Callender,
Twceddalc, Middletcn, Dundee, Ncwburgh, Lords Sinclair,
Haikcrtoun, Duftus, Sir Archibald Primcrose^ Sir John
Fletcher, ^ru: V/illiam Bannantyne, Sir Robort Murray, Sir

I'OtJ THE lIlSTORy OF THE CHAP. in.

John Gihuour of Craiomillar, Sir William Fleuiing, laird of
Blackball, iSir John Wauchope ol" Nicldrie, knight, Gibson of
Diirie, Sir George Kinnaird of Rossie, Alexander Bruce
brother to the Earl of Kincairdin, and Sir "William Scot of
Airdie. After the public reading of their commission, and
their powers, all present took' the <>ath oi allegiance, formerly
mentioned, and then the oath of council. They had now the
whole execiUivo power in their hands, and accordingly, at
their first meeting, they ordered the citadels built by the Eng-
lish, during the usurpation, to be demolished. — i3ut as the
point of the greatest inij)ortancc, at that time, was the getting
prela^ cstahlished — 1 shall first give souje account of that
matter.

We have seen how the parliament, by their 6th act, put
the whole power, as to church aliiiirs, into the king's hands,
by vvhich he was to settle the ecclesiastical government, as he
thought most proper ; but then the parliament had by no act
as yet established prelacy, consequently it does not appear to
have any proper parliamentary settlement in Scotland, but to
be brought in by a mere act of tha king's prerogative, as we
ahcM presently see.

When tlio parliament was up, Middleton and the courtiers
repaired with all speed to London, and, when they had the
oovernmcntof the church of Scotland under their consideration,
the commissioner and chancellor were strenuously for bishops.
Lauderdaie, Crawford and Duke Hamilton, for some time
opposed them. ' The Earl of Middleton, says Burnet, assiu'ed
the king, tluit episcopacy was desired by the greater and ho-
ncster part of the nation. One synod had as good as peti-
tioned for it : and majiy others wished for it, tliotigh the
■Jvdve they had in the late wars made them think it was not
iit or decent for them to move ibr it. Sharp assured the king,
th.at none but tlie protestors, of whom he had a very bad opi-
i-ion, were against it : and that, of the resolutioners, tli'ere
v,ould not be ibund twenty that would op})ose it. — On tlie
otlier hand, the Earl of Lauderdale, and all his friends, assur-
ed the king, that the national prejudices ;^-ainst it were still
very strong, that tliose w ho .seemed zealous for il ran into it
only as a m'ethod to procure iavour, but that thojic who were
i)g:iinst it would be found stiff and eager in their oj)posilion
to it ; that, l)y seating it \.\p, the kinjr woukMose the aflections
oi'the nati(m, and that the suj.porling it would grow ji heavy
} )ad on his government-,' which indeed came to pass. The
bishop farther observes, * that 4ipon this diversity of opijiion,
,tlu^ thing liaving been proposed in a Scots council at "\Vhite-
«)all, the Karl ol Cravvlbrd declared hiinsclf against it, but the
J'yMi of Lauderdale, Duke Ilamilten and Sir Kubcrl Murray

CHAP. III. niURcn or Scotland. TOY

were only for cklaying (ill the king sliould be better satisfiet?
concerning the inclinations of the nation. All the rest were
ibr the change.'

These debates are said to have lasted for some days, and
that here the foundation of tUscord was laid between Middle -
ton and Lauderdale, which issued in the ruin of tlie former.
A little after the chancellor, in a conversation with Lauder-
dale, desired him not to mistake his conduct in that aflaii',
for he v»as not for lordly prelates, such as liad been fornierlv
in Scotland, but only for a limited, sober and moderate Ejiis-
copac}-. To which Lauderdale is said to have replied, < My

* lord, since you are for bishops, and must have them, bi -
' shops you shall have, and higher than ever tlicy were In
' Scotland, and that you shall iiud.' It being thus agreed to
alter the government of the church of Scotland, a letter was
sent from his majesty to tljc privy-council there, dociai-ing
his royal pleasure to have Episcoi)acy Chtablibhed in this an-
cient kingdom. Lie did not demand their advice upon it,
says Bishop Burnet, but even required their obedience to ii,
as appears from the letter itsdi', which is a:3 fiii'o'.vs.

CHARLES Ft.

* "SLIGHT' trusty and .well beloved cousins and counsr!-

* ^a- jors, we greet you well Whereas in the month of

* August 1660, we (Jid by our letter to tlic presbytery cf

* Edinburgh, declare our puipose to maintain th.c government

* of the church of Scotland settled by law; and ourpariia-
' ment having, since that time, not only rescinded alj tlic acts
' since the troubles began referring to that governiiient, b'j'j
' aUo declared all those jn-elended parliaments null and void,
' and lelt to us the settling and seeming of church govern .

* ment : therefore, in compliance wit!) that..;tict recissory, ;;c-
« cording to our late proclamation, dated ?it WliitcLail t!je

< lOiii (»f June, and in contcmijlation of the inconvenicneie-'
' iVom the churcli-governmcnt, as it hathbeen exercised the>.j

* twenty-three years past, of tlie unsuitablencss thereof to our
' monarchial estate, of the sadly exj^erienced confusions which
' have been caused, during the late troubles, by tlic violeJices

* done to our royal prerogative, and to the government, civil

* and eccle^^iastical, settled rby uiujuestionable authority, wt ,
' from our respect to the glt^l'y of God, auvl the good and in -

* teretit of the Protestant religion, from onv pious care an;i
' princely zeal for the ori!er,ui!ity, peao<?, iUii! stability of tlip';

< church, and its better harmony with the government of thT?

* churches of England and Ireland, have, after mature dcH-

* bcration, dcclaretl to those of oiu* council here our firm re-'

* sc)'i:t;o!i to iiiterpo'^e our royai aul!i;r.-ity for rcstormg u'

109 TRE HISTORY OP THE CHAP. III.

' lliat cliurch to its right government by bishops, as it was by

* law, before tlic late troubles, during the reigns of our royal

* flither and grandfather, of blessed memory, and as it now

* stands settled by law. Of this our royal pleasure, concern-

* ing church-government, you are to take notice, and to
« mahe intimation thereof in such a way and manner as you

* shall judge most expedient and effectual. And we require

* you and every one of you, and do expect, according to the

* trust and confidence we have in your affection.^ and duly

* to our sen'ice, that you will be careful to use your best en-

* dcavours for curing the distempers contracted during those

* late evil times, for uniting our good subjects among them-
' selves, and bringing them all to a cheerful acquiescing and

* obedience to our sovereign authority, which we will employ,

* by the help of God, for the maintaining and defending th«

* true reformed religion, increase of piety, and the settlement

* and security of that church in her rights and liberties, ac-

* cording to law and ancient custom. And, in order thereto,

* our will is, that you forthwith take such course \vith the

* rents, belonging to the several bishoprics, and dearu'ies, that

* they mav be restored and m^ade useful to the church, and

* that according to justice and the standing law. And, more-

< over, you are to inhibit the fissembling of ministers in their

* several synodical n^ectings through tlie kingdom, until our

< fartlicr pleasure, and to keep a watcldul eye over all who,

* upon i\ny pretext wliatsoever, shall, by discoursing, preadi-

* ing, reviling, or any irregular or unlawful way, endeavour

* to alienate tlie aliections of our people, or dispose them to

< an ill opinion of us and our government, to the disturbance

* of the peace of the kingdom. So, expecting your chcer-

< ful obedience, and a speedy account of your proceedings

< herein, we bid you heartily farewell. Given at our court at

* Whitehall, August the 11th, 1661, and of our reign the 13th

* year.

< Bv his Majesty's command.

' « LAUDERDALE.'

On the last of August, the Earls of Glencairn and Rothes,
^vith Mr Sharp, returned from court ; and next council day,
September 5. the lord-chancellor presented ivis majesty's
letter, which being read, the clerk was ordered to ihaw u]>
an ac;, in obedience thcrcimto to be proclaimed nnil made
known to ;ill the lieges. Accordingly next day the draught
was preheated and approved of, and proclaimed over the
cross, with great solemnity, by the lyon king at arms, with all
the trmnjjcts and the magistrates of Edinburgh in their robes.
'J'hii act of council is the echo of his majesty's letter. The

CHAP. III. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. lOD

council, the same day, ordered a just copy of their act and
proclamation to be transmitted to the king; for which his
majesty returned them his thanks. And thus prelacy was
again brought into Scodand ; from which I cannot but make
the following remarks.

As his majesty's letter and the council's act and proclama-
tion in consequence of it, was the foundation upon which pre-
lacy v/as at this time established, so it is apparent, 1. That the
king intended to deceive the ministers of the church of .Scot-
land, by his letter to the presbytery of Edinburgh, wherein
he declared his resolution to protect and preserve the govern-
ment of tliat church, as it is settled by law; for in his last
letter, these words, as it is, arc ai'tfully omitted, th.at there
might be a fairer pretence for introducing bishops, upon that
very ground wliich so many took to be an assurance given
against them. When his majesty wrote to the presbytery of
Edinburgh, ))relacy stood abohshed, and presbyterian govern-
ment established by law, and the king's solemn oath was en-
gaged to preserve the same inviolable. But, 2. It is apppa'cnt,
that prelacy, in Scotland, was now restored entirely by vir-
tue of the regal supremacy, of which tlie king v/as so tender,
that he neither advised with his council, nor sought their'
consent, but required them to publish liis pleasure in this
point ; for, though the paihament had rescinded all the acts
passed since the year 1633, yet, they had by no act as yet,
establij-hed diocesan Episcopacy ; only the king interposed
his authoi'ity for restoring that church to its right government
by bishops, as it v/as by law before the late troubles ; so that
prelacy was one of the first fruits of absolute and arbitrary
pov/er. 3. The reasons given for this remarkable change
were absolutely false. Inconveniencies are first njentioned,
though not one instance is given. It is plain that profane-
ncss vvas greatly suppressed, piety flourished, and many were
converted, while the church of Scotland enjoyed her just and
lawful liberties ; and, perhjaps, these were looked upon as in^
conveniencies by the present uianagers. It is also alleged,
that presbytery, though never naniedj was unsuitable to his mo-
narchical estate. How soon had his majesty forgot that the
presbytcrians stood by him during his exile, and that they
restored him to his crov.n ! The confusions of the late times
are also most unjustly laid to their charge, since they were al-
most the only body in the three kingdoms that stood oii^^
against Cromv/ell. And though his majesty pretended he was
now moved from a regard to the glory of Gcd, who, that ob-
serve him now interposing his royal authority tor ovoturning
that constitution, which upon, his knees, a. id with his hancis
lii'ted up to heaven, he swore to m.aintoiii (.ivy u ft,wye;irc- be*

110 THT- IIIStOTlV OF THE CHAP. II.

fore, can f^Ivc the Kmallcst credit to his pretences ? For indeed
he stuck at nothing. But, not to trouble the reader with any
farllicr remarks.

Prelacy being thui5 restored by the royal authority, the next
ih'iu'^ under consideration was to have bishops apj^ointed and
consecrated. Slicldon and tlie English bishops had an aver-
sion to all that had been engaged in the Covenant Mr
Thomas .Sidoserfe was the only man now alive of the old bi-
sliop, and at .this time expected to be advanced to the pri-
macy of Scotland. But he had so disgusted the English
bishops, that they did not espouse his interest, though ihey
were much against a set oPPrcsbyterian bisliops. This affect-
ed Sharp serisibly : so he laid the matter before the Earl of
(clarendon, and managed matters with so much art and dis-
Nimulation, that he got the archbishopric of St Andrews se-
cured to himself, and was ordered to find out proper men for
filling up the other sees, l^hc choice were,

Tslr James Sharp metropolitan, a monster of hypocrisy,
perjury, and vilcness. He took the tender; made such a
}>roposal to Cromwell, that he publicly declared him to be an
."^Lhei.st ; v.as base with one Isobel Lindsay, as she publicly
declared to his fncc, and had a share in the murder of the
poor infant. He betrayed the church of Scotland, and per-
secuted the true mcn^bers of it. In a word, his wicked and
cruel life, and the dcalli lie deservedly met widi, would make
a black and dismal story.

Mr Andrew Fair foul was made archbishop of Glasgow, a
man of some learning and neat expression, but never esteem-
ed serious. Burnet says, he was a pleasant facetious man ;
insinuating and crafty; a better physician than divine;
that his life was scare free iVom scandal, and was eminent in
nothing that belonged to his own function. He had both
sv.'orn tlie covenant, and })ersuaded others to do it ; and,
when it was objected to him, he said, That there were some
very good medicines that could not be chewed, but were to
be swallowed.

The persons who filled up the other bishoprics, were Mr
George Wishart of Edinburgh, INIr Sideserfe of Orkney, Mr
.David Mitchell of Abeideen, but did not enjoy it a fall year.
Mr James Hamilto5i of Galloway *, Mr Robert Wallace of
the Isles, ]Mi- David Fk>tcher of Argyle, Mr George Halibur-
ton of Dunkeld, Mr Patrick Forbes of Caithness, INIr David
Strachan of Brechen, Mr John Paterton of Ross, Mr Mur-

* Burnet fiys of Mr HEmilfnn, fhat when lie formerly jrave the facr^ment,
be excoinmunicatod all who, were not t ue to tlie covenant, usin^v a form in the
(U 1 TtAtamtnt of sii.ikinjj out tlje lap of his gjowii, siyinjr, So d'n'. he cast ou: cf
thi cliiiich iind comaninio:!, all ll;.u d;al: iihcly i:: V.vc cov.r.ar.t.

CHAP. III. eiiuncH of Scotland. 1H

doch Mackenzie of Moray, and Mr Robert Lcigliton of
Dumblain. To this iast Burnet gives the most excellent
character that can be met with amongst then ; and he was
certainly the best of any of the bishops nominated j but he
was judged by many to be void of any doctrinal principles ;
and liis close correspondence with some of his relations at
Doway in popish orders, made him suspected as indifteren't
to all professions which bear the name of Christian. It was
the remark of a countryman, ' That the bishops of England,
' were like the kings of Judah, some good, some bad ; but

* the prelates in Scotland were like the kings of Israel, not

* one of them good, but all followers of Jeroboam the son of

* Nebat, who made Israel to sin.'

There were four of those wlio were appointed to be bishops,
at this time in London, to wit, Sharp, Fairfoul, Ihnnilton,
and Leighton. ' The Englisli bishops, finding that Shar]>

* and Leighton had not episcopal ordination as priests and

* deacons, the other two having been ordained by bishops be-

* fore the v.'ars, insisted that they should be ordained first

* deacons and then priests. Sharp was very unetisy at this,
' and reminded them of what had happened when King
' James had setup episcopacy, who declared, That he thought
' such a practice went too iar towards the unchurching all

* those v.ho had no bishops amongst them : but the bishops

* were posi-tive in the point, :;iid would not dispense with it,

* and the others at last yielded ;' which, says Mr Wodrow,
made the bishop of London tell Sharp, when he came to ae-
(juaint him with their consent tore-ordination, that it v,\asthe
Scots fashson to scruple at eveiy thing, and to swallow any
thing. And thongh this was an unjust and invidious -reflec-
tion, yet these persons were justly reproved ; for one of them
fi-ankly declared he would be ordained, re-ordained, and re-
ordained again, if it was insisted upon. Accordingly Sharp
and Leighton were privately ordained deacons and priests,
and then ail the four were consecrated publicly in the abbey
of Westminster, before a great coniiuence of Scots and Eng-
lish nobility, in DecemlxH- that year. The ceremony was
performed in all the modes of the English church.

'I hough the Scots bishops, by submitting to a fresh ordi-
nation as Presbyters, declared th;it they looked upon presby-
terial ordination as invaUd, yet it is plain their alter-conduct
was inconsistent with this principle i for, when they returned
to Scodand, and entered upon their episcopal function, they
re-ordained none of those n^.inisters who .complied with them -,
and consequently, according to their own principles, these
were no lawful ministers, since they had not prelatical ordina-
tion. It must therefore be left with tlie reader to determine,
1

J12 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. Ilf.

whether they could be justified in i:)erscculing those people
■vvho would not submit to those compilers, when, according to
their own principles, they were not lawful ministers. It is in
vain to allege that the bishop's allov*'ance was equivalent to
ordination by the imposition of hands ; for, if that was the
case, why were they themselves re-ovdained by the imposition
of hands, to the scandal of all the reformed churches ? The
party may answer this the best way they can.

Leighton told Dr Burnet, that, in the whole progress of
iTiis affair, there appeared such gross characters of an angry
providence, that, how Hilly soever he was satisfied as to epis-
copacy itself, yet it seemed that God was against them, and
that they were not like to be the men that should build up
his church, so that the struggling about it seemed to him like
a fighting against God —He that had the greatest hand in it
proceeded with so much dissimulation, and the rest of the or-
der were so mean, so selfish, and the Earl of Middleton, with
the other secular men that conducted it, were so openly iui-
pions and vicious, that it did cast a reproach upon every thing
relating to religion to see it managed by such instruments.

It is now proper that we return to the proceedings of the
privy-council, before whom we shall find a remarkable pro-
cess, in the mouth of September, relating to the Earl of
Tweeddale. It seems the court was informed, that, when the
jirocess was depending before the parliament against Mr
Guthrie, his lordship spake in favour of that gentleman.
This was accounted such a crime, that his majesty sent a let-
ter to the council, dated the 7th of September, ordering them
to commit the Earl to the Castle of Edinburgh, which was
executed on the 1 3th. On the 17th his lordship petitioned
the council, to interpose either for his enlargement, or that
his imprisonment might be changed to a confinement to his
house at Bothams Accordingly they wi'ote to the secretary,
and inclosed his petition, and signified, that, in the late meet-
ing of council, when the matter of church government was
belbre them, the Earl had heartily complied with his majesty's
commands, behaving himself as a faithful counsellor and loyal
subject. On the first of October two letters from the secre-
tary were read in council, reconmiending them to examine
his lordship's conduct at the late vote in parliament which
condemned Mr Guthrie, and to confine him to Bothams, and
three itiiles round, till farther orders. Upon this a Commit-
tee of the council was appointed, to whom he gave in a decla-
ration, signifying, 1. That there were some circumstances in
Mr (iiithrie's case, that inclined him to vote for some other
punishment than death. 2. That he did not remember his
Vote relating to the petition and instructions. 3. That hav-
3

CHAP. in. CHURCH of Scotland. 115

ing heard the process relating to the petition and instructions.
3. That having heard the process relating to the declinature
read but once, and it being the fu'st criminal process he was
ever witness to, he therefore declined to vote in that article.
Upon producing this declaration the Earl was discharged
from the Castle, but confined to his own house at Bothams,
and three miles round, and ordered to find bail under the
penalty of 100,000 merks Scots, for his appeai*ance, or re-
turning to the Castle, when his majesty or the council should
see proper. And though aftti"vvards his confinemeut was ta-
ken off, yet from this process the reader cannot but see a ma-
nifest incroachment on the freedom of parliament; for this
was the only thing that was laid to his charge.

On the 18th of September the council agreed to a procla-
mation, discharging the electing of any person to be magis-
trate or counsellor within any burgh, except such as were of
known loyalty and affection to his majesty's government, qua-
lified as is expressed in the late acts of parliament, and others
made for that effect, and whose carriage during the late
troubles, has been no evidence to the contrary. The design
of this proclamation was to exclude all presbyterians, and
such as were not hearty for bishops and the king's arbitrary
power, from any management of liaurghs, and to entirely sub-
ject the royal burghs to the yoke of the courtiers.

On the 7th of November, information being given that
George Swinton and James Glen, booksellers in Edinburgh,
liave ordered to be printed several seditious and scandalous
books and papers, such as Archibald Campbell's speech,
Guthrie's speech, the Covenant's plea, &c. it was ordered by
the council, that the Lord Advocate and Provost of Edin-
burgh seize upon these books and papers, and discharge the
above and other booksellers to print any more books or pa-
pers, till they received warrant from the king, parliament, or
council. And thus the liberty of the press was effectually ta-
ken away : for the conduct of these managers could by no
means bear such a public scrutiny.

During these things, the Rev. Mr Robert Biaij-, minister
at St Andrews, was ordered, upon some information or
other, where Sharp took care to keep himself bc'nind the cur-
tain, on account of particular obligations he was under to this
worthy gentleman, to ])rescnt himself belbre the lord chan-
cellor, at Edinburgh, by the 9th of October. The Earls of
Linlithgow, Hume, &;c. were, on the 5th of Novembei', ap-
})ointed to examine him, and give in their report to the next
meeting of the council, which was done accordingly on the.
7th; but v>'hat resolutions they came to is not known; for
my author tells us, that he found a blank in the records of

VOL I. H

1I4j the history of the chap, hi*

near half a page ; and upon the margin, Act Mr Robert
Blair, as if they had been ashamed of their proceedings jigaiii-t
such a person, who was so universally regarded. We shall
hear more of him next year.

Tlie council, in consequence of an application by the pres-
bytery of Linlithgow, discharged the Rev. Mr William Wis-
heart from his confinement, after thirteen months imprison-
Kient, and afterwards Mr John Scott, and Mr Gilbert Hall,
who had been apprehended on the remarkable 23d of August.

Several west country gentlemen, in the month of Novem-
ber, were brought to a great deal of trouble for their joining
with Col. Strachan, 1650. And while the council were pro-
secuting Mr Blair and other presbyterians, they could not,
for shame, evite doing somewhat against trafficking papists,
whose numbers at this time greatly increased •, and it must be
owned that the council shewed some considerable zeal this
way, had they not been much hindered by the remissness of
the prelates. However, John Inglis and William Brown
were appi'ehended and committed to prison, and were both
banished the kingdom ; and a proclamation was issued on the
l&th of November against papists, and for seizing all popish
books, writings, commissions, and others belonging to them
mider the highest pains. Nevertheless papists were overlook-
ed, while they who adhered to the true principles of the church
of Scotland were prosecuted with the utmost rigour.

On the 10th of December the council desirecl the chancel-
lor to send a letter to the presbytery of Peebles, ordering
them to desist from admitting Mr John Hay to the church
of Manner, until the return of the archbishop. But it seems
the presbytery either had not received the chancellor's letter,
or could not put a stop to the ordination, and therefore had
proceeded to the admission : wherefore all the members pre-
i-ent were summoned to appear, and ansvrcr for their conduct,
under the pain of rebellion. This proceeding against pres-
byteries was a stretch beyond the king's letter, by which sy-
nodical meetings w^ere only prohibited. They might as well
have forbid presbyteries to take scandal under their conside-
ration, as limit them in the point of ordination, which was
one great part of their ministerial function, as yet reserved to
them by his majesty's last letter. We shall find more presby-
teries writ to, in this manner, by the council next year, to
the occurrences of whi^l^ I proceed in the folio wiu;^ chapter-

CrtAP. ni. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 115

CHAP. IV.

Of the discharging of Chwrh-judicatures, the cuvsecration of the
bishops^ the acts of the parliamenty and the proceedings of
the council, particularlj/ the act of Glasgoui, and other things
during the year 1662.

T) EFORE tlie parliament sat down, the council completed
^ the \\\)rk of overturning the judicatures of this church,
j)ursuant to the orders they received from London, where all
things were concerted by Sharp, and the rest of the bishops
who were there.

Accordingly, on the 2d of January, the council received a
letter from the king, signifying his will and plcasm-e, for them
to discharge, by proclamation, all ecclesiastical meetings in
synods, presbyteries, and sessions, till authorised and ordered
by the archbishops and bishops. Thus we find that synods
were first interrupted, and then discharged : presbyteries
were forbid to ordain any in vacant parishes, and now their
meetings were prohibited, nay, and sessions likewise must die
with the other judicatujes of this church, and all in conse-
quence of the royal supremacy, without the authority of par-
liament.

Bishop Burnet says, that Sharp procured this without
any advice, and it proved very fatal ; for when king James
brought in the bishops before, they had still suffered the in-
ferior judicatures to continue sitting till the bishops came and
sat among them. — Whereas now, by silencing these courts,
the case was much altered ; — for these courts being now once
broken, and brought together afterwards by a sort of conni-
vance, without any legal authority, only as the bishop's assis-
tants and officials, to j;ive him advice, and act in his name,
they pretended they could not sit in them any more, unless
they should change their principles and become thoroughly
episcopal. And here, by the way, Burnet liad no reason to
put in these words, they pretended ; for the truth is, they
could not countenance any such judicatures consistent with
presbyterial principles, Burnet a^dds, so fatally did Sharp pre-
cipitate matters. He nffcctcd to have the reins of the church
whcj^ly put into his oun hands, and Lauderdale was not sorry
to see him commit error.s, since the worse things were ma-
naged, his advice would be more justified. And Middleton
and his party took no care of any business, being almost per-
petually drunk. —

The same day the above mentioned proclamation was pub-
lished the council dii^cbarged the presbytery of Kelso from pro-

1\6 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IV.

reeding to ordain a minister to the church of Yettam ; for
things were now carried on with an high liand : and by this
liiuc, the public resolutioners began to see tlie dismal effects of
opening a door to malignants to get into places of trust in the
council and army ; because though the protestors were the
fn-^t who suffered, vet both were afterwards made to drink
of the same cup. Accordingly Mr Douglass is reported to
have said, when he saw things thus carried on, our brethren
the protestors have had their eyes open, and we have been
blind. Mr Dickson used to say, the protestors have been
much truer prophets than they. And Mr W^w^d acknow-
ledged to several of his brethren, who differed from him in
judgment, that they had been mistaken in their views they
took cf matters.

And it is a matter of sad regret, that the most part of pres-
byteries, instead of making any stand for their religious liber-
ties, silently yielded to the proclamation, and left off meeting
in a judicative capacity ; so that the wicked and unjust eva-
sions made upon the crown and dignity of our Lord Jesus
Christ brought many of the faithful of the land with sorrow
to the grave ; for nov/, if any presbytery did so much as pe-
tition for a fair liearing, no regard was paid to it.

Thus wlien the presbytery of Kirkcudbright sent two of
their members, to wit, Mr John Duncan minister at Rerick,
and Mr James Buglos at Crossmichael, with a petition to the
privy-council, most respectfully and humbly intreating them,
in t^.e name of Jesus Christ, < that their honours would be

* pleased to grant unto tiiem freedom and liberty to imfold

* tlieir bosoms in tliose things, that relating to the word of

* God in the land did sadly ag^jrieve their spirits, — and par-

* ticularly that they might have liberty, with freedom and

* safety, to express their minds against the re-introduction of

* prelacy upon this church and kingdom,' — instead of having
a hearing allowed them, they were still more exposed to suf-
iering and persecution. If such petitions as these can, widi
any shew of reason, be looked upon as seditious or treasona-
ble, must be left to the reader.

Many worthy gentlemen in the west country were brought
into trouble, on pretence of their having damaged the Ear}
<»f Qucensberry's estate, and been with the forces und. r
Colonels Strachan and Ker, 1 6.50. But the true cause was, be-
cause most of them were for the remonstrance, and enemies to
prelacy. The parliament therefore computed the losses the
earl sustained at 20001. sterling, and the council to whom the
parhamcnt left the affair, rated every gentleman, whom ^they
}>rctended liad been concerned as above, in proportion to his
estate real and personal. Thus Sir M' illiam Cuuingham o^"

GJIAP. IV. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 117

Ciininghamhcad was rated at above 2001. Sir Hugh Camp-
bell of Cesnock at above 1301. Mr William Gordon of Eavls-
toun at above 1201. sterling, arid others in proportion.

The Rev. Mr Robert Blair was before the council the be-
ginning of this year. On the 9th of January, the Lord Bol-
lenden, with the advocate and provost of Edinburgh, were aj>-
pointed to examine the witnenses summoned to appear in tlii^
case, and make report accordingly ; but, after tiieir most di-
ligent search, nothing could be found against him. After the
imprisonment of the ministers in August 1660, and the pro-
spect of the re-scttlemcnt of prelacy, he preached a faithful and
yet cautious sermon, from 1 Pet. iii. 14-. Upon his examina-
tion as to the matter of his sermon, he gave the committee of
the council a distinct account. He was only confined to his
room at Edinburgh, and afterwards removed toMusselburgli,
where he continued till September this year. While he was
there, Sharp found means to get his charge declared vacant.
On hearing of this Mr Blair sent his presentation to the coun-
cil. A little after he obtained liberty to reside at Kirkcaldy,
where he continued with great respect, till the order was [)n-
blishcd forbidding all presbyterian ministers to live in burghs,
and then he removed to Couston. But the true ground of ail
his trouble was, because the archbishop could not be easy
while so good a man was near him. The council had little
more before them till the parliament rose.

The melancholy change that was now made, and the dismal
prospect of things for the time to come, made such impres-
sions upon many, that they died of grief. Among these v/as
the noble John earl of Loudon, late chancellor of Scotland,
v.'ho had been a prime instrument in the late work of refor-
mation. He was a nobleman of great and peculiar endovv-
ments, joined with remarkable resolution and courage, and,
next to the Marquis of Argyle, was the object of spite and rage
of the present managers. He often intreated his excellent
lady to pray that he might never see the next session of par-
liament ; and accordingly he was taken awav from the evil to
come on the 15th of ilarcli, and was honourably interretl
amoijg his ancestors.

Soon after this archbishop Sharp, and the other three wl)>
liad been consecrated at London, came down to Scotland all
in one coach. Leighton told Dr Burnet, that he believed
they were weary of him, tor he was very weary of them. But,
linding they were to be received at Edinburgh wifh so;ne
jiomp, he left them at Morpeth, and came to Edinburgh a
lew days before them.

They got to Berwick on tljp §th of April ; were met udo:i
the road to Edinburgli bv a considerable number of noble-

118 THE HISTORY OF THt CHAP. IV.

men, cjentlemen, and others, and received at their coming in
with all pomp and solemnity, which was not a little pleasing
to Sharp. The lord chancellor, with all the nobility and privy
counsellors then at Edinburgh, went out together, with the
magistracy of the city, and brought the bishops in as in tri-
umph. Dr Burnet was a spectator, and says, that though he
was truly episcopal, yet he thought there was soniething in
the pomp of that enfry, that did not look like the humility
that became their function.

The commisjjioner Middleton, came to Holyrood-house on
Sabbath, May the 4th ; and the 7di was fixed for llie conse-
cration of the rest of the bishops in the church of Holyrood-
house. The two archbishops who were the consecrators,
went to the church in their pontifical habits. The primate
made use of the English forms, and read all from the book -,
but it is remarkable, as Bisliop Burnet observes, that they
were not ordained first priest and deacons. Three of the
bishops nominated, not being present, were consecrated at St
Andrews in the month of June following.

This ceremony made way for their admission into parlia-
ment, May the 8th, which was performed with great cere-
mony. Six members of parliament, two noblemen, the earls
of Kelly and Wecms, two barons, and two burgesses, were
sent to invite them to come and take their seats in the house.
From the Nether-bow they went up in state. The two arch-
bishops in the midst of the first rank ; the gentlemen, magi-
strates, and town council of Edinburgh mixed in with the rest
of the bishops, who had all their black gowns and robes.
When they came to the house, a speech was made to them,
the act restoring them read, and the house adjourned for that
time. They were all invited to dine with the commissioner,
w-ho did them the honour to walk down the street with them
on foot. Six macers went first with their macos elevated.'
Next three gentlemen ushers, and then the purse-bearer
uncovered. The commissioner and chancellor came next,
with two noblemen upon their right-hand, and the arch-
bishops upon their left. And the other noblemen and mem-
bers of parliament invited, made up the rest of the caval-
cade. /■

Thus prclac}' was restored in triumph, but without the
least shadow of the church's consent or autliority, nay, in op-
}>osition to many ecclesiastical acts, as yet unrepealed ; and
ihcrefore it was no wonder though many looked upon them as
intruders. Besides, the managers knew too well that they
durst not run the hazard of having this change made in any
considerable meeting of the ministei-s of Scodand : and
therefore prelates and prelacy were introduced entirely by the

cuAr. IV. CHURCH of Scotland. . lio

supremacy. And upon this footing the parliament gave their
consent to, and settled episcopacy m tlie second session ; the
proceedings ot" which I am now briefly to relate, when I have
observed, that, M^y the 7ih, the commissioner in council de-
clared, that it is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that the
Earl ol" Tweeddale's restraint be taken off. But then he and
others must be taught, by his eight months imprisonment and
confinement, how dangerous it would be to speak according
to their conscience, and in any thing to contradict the mea-
sures of the court.

The parliament had been adjourned to March ; but it be-
ing resolved that the bishops should sit in the house, and mat-,
ters not being as yet concerted for their consecration, it was
deferred till that should be over. Accordingly, on the 8th of
May, the parliament sat down ; and if ever iniquity was esta-
blished by law, it was remarkably so in this session, as appears
by their following acts.

The very first which passed was. Act for the restitution and
re-establishment of the ancient government of the church by
archbishops and bishops ; wliich begins thus : ' Forasmuch

* as the ordering and disposal of the external government and

* policy of the church doth properly belong unto his majesty,
' as an inherent right of the crown, by virtue of his royal pre-

* rogative and supremacy in causes ecclesiastical.' — So that
this act was founded entirely upon the king's supremacy. The
bishops were already set up by his majesty's sole authority,
and therefore it was very fit that they shoulcl lean entirely up-
on that foundation. By this act the king was made the only
fountain of church-power, and that exclusive of Christ, the on-
ly head of the church, of whom there is not the least mention.
And the reader may judge, whether any could, with a safe con-
science, take the oath of allegiance, or rather supremacy, for-
merly mentioned, who was persuaded that there was no visible
head of the church upon earth, or submit to prelacy, as thus
established, especially when we consider the exorbitant power
that was put into the hands of bishops : for, by this act, they
were restored ' to the exercise of their episcopal function,
' precedence in the church, power of ordination, inflicting of

* censures, and all other acts of church discipline, which they
' are to perform with advice and assistance of such of the

* clergy as they shall find to be of known loyalty and pru-

* dence. — And farther, it is hereby declared, that whatever

* shall be determined by his majesty, with the advice of the

* archbishops and bishops, and such of the clergy as shall be

* nominated by his majesty, in the external government and

* policy of the church (the same consisting with the standing
< laws of the kingdom) shall be valid and effectual.' Bishoj)

120 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IV.

Burnet liimself owns, that this was plainly the setting episco-
pacy on another bottom than it had been ever on in Scotland
befoj-e this time.

Their 2d act was for the preservation of his mnjesty's per-
son, authorit}', and government ; in which it was declared to
be treason for subjects, upon pretence of reformation, or any
other pretence whatsoever, to enter into leagues and cove-
nant;;, or to take up ai'ms again.it the king, or those commis-
sioned bv him j and consequently, passive obedience and non«
resistance were hereby established ; and had this been observ-
ed in all time coming, the Revolution liad never taken place.
It was likewise declared that the national covenant and so-
lemn league and covenant were unlawful oaths, and that there
lay no obligation on the subjects from these oaths. Thus
they assumed the Pope's power in dispensing with oaths.
And, to complete all, they repealed all acts, ecclesiastical and
civil, approving the covenant, particularly the acts of the as-
sembly at Glasgow 1638. In short, it was declared. That, if
any should speak, write, preach, print, or pray any thing
tending to stir up a dislike of his majesty's prerogative and
supremacy in causes ecclesiastical, or the government by
archbisho{)s and bishops now settled, should be incapable
of any public trust. All this plainly shews that prelacy in
the church of Scotland was the road to tyranny in the
state.

B\' their 3d act, all ministers entered since'^lC-tD, were or-
deretl to take pi-esentations from their respective patrons, and
receive collation or admission from the bishops ; so that they
must either look upon all they had formerly done in the mini-
stry to be valid, and submit to prelacy, contrary to their con-
sciences, or quit their charges. And, the better to transmit
prelacy to posterity,

By their 4th act, all masters of colleges, who refused to
submit to episcopacy, and take the oath of allegiance, were
ordered to be turned out. Ministers were ordered to attend
the diocesan synods, and assist in all things, as they shall be
required by the bishops, under very severe penalties. ^In a
word, all private meetings, or conventicles in houses, under
pretence' of religion, were by this act discharged, and none
were to preach, keep school, or be pedag()gues to persons of
quality, without, the bishop's licence. Remarks u{)on these
arbitrary laws, and open restraints upon conscience, are I
su})pose, needless. But to con)plete the work,

liy their 5th act, ;dl persons in public trust were ordained
lo subscribe to the followino; declaration.

CHAP. IV. ciiuncn or* Scotland. 121.

* T — - — — do sincerely affirm and declare, that 1 judge it

* *■ unlawful to subjects, upon pretext of reformation, or any
' other pretext whatsoncvcr, to enter into leagues and cove-
' nants, or to take up anr.j; I'gainst the king, or those commis-

* sioned by him ; anr that all those gat'tcrins-s, con%-ocations,
' petitions, protestati( ;: ;, and erecting or kccpinaf of council-

* tables, that were used in the beginning, and for the carrying

< on of the late troubks, were unlawful and seditious : and,

* particularly, that these oatlis, whereof the one was common-

* Iv called the Natio/hil Covenant (as was sworn and explain-

< ed in the year 16 ;3 and thercoRer; and the other intitled, A
' Soleinji League and Coveiiant^ were, and arc in themselves

< unlawful oatlis, and were taken by and imposed upon the

* subjects of this kingdom against th.e fiindamental laws and

* liberties of the same •, and tliere lieth no obligation upon

* me, or any of the subjects, from the said oa'hs, or either of

* them, to endeavour any change or alteration of the govern -

< ment, either in church or state, as it is nov/ established by

< the laws of the kingdom.'

By this all are obliged to. condemn' the covenants, and de-
clare that they laid no obligation upon any. Surely nodiing
coukl be so unaccountable, as to declare t'lat they who had
taken these sacred oallis were loosed from their obligation.
Here perjury of the deepest dye was made the necessary
fjualification of all in public oilice. In short, the whole work
of I'eformation, since the year 1638, was thereby renounced,
defensive arms declared unlawful, coiiseieuce enslaved, and
tyrnimy allowed to reign trimnphant.

Prelacy being thus settled towards the end of tlic session,
they at length passed an act of indenmity and oblivion, which
liad been granted in England almost as soon as the king came
home-, buc his ancient kingdom must not enjoy such a favour,
till the pi-elates had their main interests secured, though, it is
well known that the Scots presbvtcrians crowned him, fought,
for him, and suiTered exceedingly under the usurpation. So
from this indemnity were excepted John Hume, William
Dundas, the Campbells of Ardklnglas and Ormsay, and all
who had been declared fugitives by the committees of estates
and parliafnent since the year 1660. This indemnity was
farther clogged by an act of fines for the relief of the ki ng'<
good subjects who had suftl-red in the late troubles, as they ge-
nerally termed the Information since the 3'ear I6:U^ Tite
parliament appointed a committee for pitching upon the per-
bon.s to be fined, and the sums each v/ere to pay. According-
ly they made up a list of about 900 noblemen, gentlemen, and
others, which the parliament r( ariily approved of, together
with the sums they were to pay, which mude-in all J,017j3.'5:.'l.

122 flti; HISTORY 6F the CHAP. IV.

63. £cl. Scots moRey, which is above 84,7T9l. sterling. The
curious reader may see the list in Mr Wodrow's appcndi::,
Ko. 33. It was then observed, that some mentioned in the
list were dead, or had never a being, some were sucking in-
fants, and others were subsisted out of the weekly collections
for the j)oor. And, generally speaking, these fines were'im-
posed upon those who were reckoned the soundest presbytc-
rians. Middleton thought to have got this money, but it fell
into others hands. How this act of fines was put in execu-
tion we shall see afterwards. In short, this act of favour was
farth<?r clogged by the balloting act, by which twelve persons
v.ere to be secluded from places of trust, who were to be nam-
ed in parliament by balloting. This was a contrivance of
Middleton's to turn out Lauderdale, Crawford, and Sir Ro-
bert ^lurray : but it occasioned his own disgrace ; for the
king was so displeased thereat, that when the Duke of Rich-
mond, Sir George Mackenzie, and Lord Tarbat, delivered the
balloting act to him, his majesty said, that their last act-
ings v.ere like madmen, or men that were perpetually drunk.
This parliament iiisued a proclamation for keeping the 29th
of Mny, witii certification, that those ministers who would
r.ot observe it should be deprived of their benefices ; where-
upon many, without being either summoned or heard, were
deprived of th.cir stipends for that year, and the non-obser-
var.ce of it became the occasion of great trouble to many
faithful minijlers.

■ This thanksgiving was observed with the usual solemnities
hi cities and buighs: but the town of Linlithgow signalized
itself by a most horrid contempt of the covenants and work of
reformation^ whereof I shall give both a just relation of fact,
and a display oi'tlro spirit of the party.

When divine service was ended, the streets were filled with
bonelire*. The magistrates invited the Earl of Linlithgow to
j.'onour them with his presence, which he did. Then coming
?o the market place, where was a table covered with confec-
' lions, they were met by the curate, who having prayed and
hung a psalm, they eat a few of tl^e confections, and threw the
Tcjit among the people, the fountain all that time running
French and Spanish wines. — At the cross was erected an arch
^tanding upon four pillars : on the one side of the arch was
eiectet! a .statute in ihrvn of an old hag, having the covenant
in her hands, with this inscription, A glouiou.s reforma-
tion. On the other side was another statute in a Whig-
muir's habit, having the remonstrance in his hand, with this
inscription, No association with malignants. On the top
of th.c arch v.as placed a statute rq:>resenting the devil as an
angel oflight, witli this label at his mouth, Stand to ths

CHAP. IV. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 123

The arch was beautiftilly adorned with several draughts of
rocks, reels, and kirk stools upon the pillar beneath the co^
venant ; and upon the pillar beneath the remonstrance were
drawn brechams, cogs, and spoons. Within the arch was
drawn a committee ©f estates, with this inscription, Act for
DELIVERING UP THE KING. On the left-hand was drawn a
commission of the kirk, with this inscription, Act of the
West KIRK. In the middle of the arch hung a table with
this litany.

From covenanters with iiplifteJ hai.ds,
From remonltrators with affociate bard«,
From iuch committees as govern this nation,
From kirk-commiffions, and their prott-ftition,

GccJ Lord dd':-ver us.

Upon the back of the arch was drawn the picture of rebel-
lion, in a religious habit, with eyes turned up, and other fa«
natic gestures, in its right hand nolding Lex Rex, and in its
left Thb causes of God's wrath. There lay, round about,
acts of parliament, acts of committees of estates, acts of as-
semblies, &c. during these twenty- two years of rebellion.
Above her was this superscription, Rebellion is as the
SIN OF witchcraft. At drinking the king's health fire was
put to the frame, and suddenly all was consumed to ashes»
and then appeared a table, supported by two luigels, beai'ing
this inscription,

Great Britain's monarch on this day was horn,

And to his kino:(Joms happily rcltor'd :
The queen'< arrivd, the mitre now is worn.

Let us rejoice, this day is from the L,ord.
Fly hencr, uil traitors who did marr our peace;

Fly hence, fchilmatics who our church did rent ;
Fly, covenanting, remonflr.iting race ;

Let us rejoice that God this day hath feiit.

Then the magistrates accompanied the Earl of Linlithgow
to the palace, where was a great bonefire, and where were
drunk the healths of the king, queen, &c.

From the whole, I question whether such a bold insult up-'
on religious matters is to be paralleled ; for some who wei'e
chiefly concerned in this mock pageantry, particularly Robert
Milne, one of the magistrates, and Mr'llamsay the minister,
had taken the covenants, and consequently now publicly avow-
ed their perjury, and left a blot upon their memory.

During this session of parliament the Rev. Mr Robert
Bailiie, who was justly reckoned among the great men of his
time, died of grief, on account of the sad alteration then
made ; he iliithfuUy declared his sentiments as to prelacy,
in two letters to Lauderdale, which are inserted by ]\Ir Wod-
row.

Soon after the act restoring episcopacy was passed, the fol-
lowing ministers; viz. Messrs John Carstairs at Glasgow,

124 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IV.

James Nasniith at Hamilton, Matthew Mowat and James
Rowat at Kilmarnock, Alexander Blair at Galstoun, James
Vcitch at Mauchlin, Wiliiam Adair at Ayr, and William
FulJerton at St Quivox, were all sunmioned before the parlia-
ment, for a terror to others who stood firm to their princi-
ples ; and, because no indictment could be found against
them, they were brought before the lords of the articles, and,
as a test of their loyalty, were required to take and subscribe
the oath of allegiance and supremacy. They declared their
willingness to comply, upon condition of being allowed to ex-
j^lain the oath, and accordingly they all, except Mr Adair,
subscribed their sense of it in a paper which they presented to
the house on the 2Sth of May. When the chancellor receiv-
ed the paper, and observed that Mr Adair had not signed it,
lie ordered him to withdraw by himself, and six of these mi-
nisters (for Mr Fullerton was dismissed) were closely confin-
ed, three and three in one room, to the great prejudice of
then- health, without allowing any to have access to them.
After some wee>ks they were sentenced to be banished, when
the commissioner and council should think fit to order their
transportation : however Mr Carstairs having fallen danger-
ously ill, he was permitted to go to Dalkeith for his health,
and thereby escaped. And the managers, being appre-
hensive of the consequences of such rigour, thought pro-
per to allow them some more liberty, and suHcr their friends
to see them, and some of them to go out of town for their
health.

At this time the parliament's proceeding against the Lord
Lorn, the eklest son of the late Marquis of Argylc, was most
unprecedented and severe; for, having wrote to the Lord
Dulius complaining of the practices of his enemies, in endea-
vouring to prepossess the king against him by hes, this letter
Avas intercepted, carried into parliament, and complained of as
leasing- making. Accordingly the parliament desired the king
to send him down to be tried upon it. Though his majesty
thought the letter indiscreetly wrote, he could not see any
thing in it that was criminal; yet in compliance with so zea-
lous a parliament. Lorn was sent down upon his parole : but
ihe king wrote- positively to IMifldlctcn not to proceed to the
execution of any sentence that might pass upon him. His
lordship came down to Edinburgh, July 17, and was char-
ged to appear that very afternoon, at the bar of the house.
After a lianclbomc sjteech he was committed close prisoner in
the castle; and on the i?Gth of .,' ugust received sentence of
death, Burnet ?ays, Me was certainly born to be the signal-
ist instance in this age of the rigour, or rather of the jnockery,
05" justice. " nov.cver. a'i the ti.nic of hie execution wao kW to

CHAP. IV. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 125

the king's appointment, we shall find afterwards a remission
granted him.

On the 3d of September, the Campbells of Ardkinglass and
Ormsay were forfeited and declared traitors, for some alleged
crimes long ago committed agahist some of the name of La-
mont.

JMr James Hamilton, Mr George Hutchison, and Mr John
Smith, ministers of Edinburgh, were silenced and deprived by
the parliament, for disobedience to their bishop ; and the rest
were given to understand, that they were to meet with the
same punishment and censure if they did not submit to their
ordinary. An end was put to * this session of parliament on
the 9th of September.

While these things were transacting, the presbytcr-ians in
England v,-ere made to feel the sad eilects of restoring the king-
without terms; for episcopacy having been re-established up-
on his majesty's return, about 2000 ministers were, upon the
24th of August this year, ejected by the act of uniformity
that took place that day, by v/hich they were brought under
great and intolerable hardsliips. Many holy and excellent
ministers, says Dr Calamy, were quickly after laid in goals in
many counties in the land, for the heavy crime of preaching
and praying. And thus protestants persecuted protcstanU
through the whole island, Avhen it was a rare thing to see a
papist in the least molested. But to return to the affairs of
Scotland.

The next day after the parliament rose, the council met,
and ordered all persons, vicars, and ministers, to I'cpair to,
and attend upon the diocesan meetings, as they shall be ap-
pointed by the archbishops and bishops, otherwise to be ac-
counted contemners of his majesty's authority, and to incur
the censures provided in such cases, and all other meetings of
ministers were henceforth to be held as seditious. Accord-
ingly the 2d Tuesday of October was appointed for the dio-
ceses of St Andievvs, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dunkcld, Bre-
chin, and Dumblain ; and the 3d Tuesday ibr those of Gal-
loway, Aberdeen, Murray, Koss, Caithness, Isles, Argvle, and
Orkney.

It is' plain, diat no presbytcrian ministers could attend or
give countenance to these assemblies, without renouncing
their principles ; and accordingly these meetings were very
ill attended, except in the north.

* N. B. Such ysras the zeal of th!? parliament for prelacy, that they mat!e an
order for razing the monument that liad been erected (in the grave (^f the ^ kv.
Mr Alexander Henderfon in the Gray-fvhif< church-yard, Edinburgh. He j n?
moderator of the General AsscniMy 1638, and of several af'er assembli^.-^, uii J
d.pd .'Sth Ai:x'i '. leiG.

126 THE HISTORY OF THK CHAP. IV.

In order tlicreForc to put this act in execution, anil to con-
fer the greater honour upon the bishops in the western and
southern shires, where they were generally dibUked, the com-
missioner and chancellor, with the Earls of Morton, Linlith-
gow and Calender, and tl*e Lord Newburgh, made a tpur to
the west country with great pomp and ceremony, and were
regaled in many places through which they passed, .^nd, as
these entertainments were genei'ally to excess, this was parti-
cularly the case at Ayr, where, about the middle of the night,
in one of their debauches, the devil's health was drank at the
cross. Such were the reformers of this period, and these the
promoters of prelacy. •■

On the 2Gth of September they came to Glasgow, where
Fairfoul the archbishop com})lained to the coirtmissioner, that
notwithstanding the act of parliament, there was not one of
the ministers ordained since 164-9 had owned him for bishop ;
that he had only the hatred which attends that oflice in Scot-
land, without the power ; and that the new-made bishops
would be mere cyphers, if his grace did not fall upon some
more effectual method. The commissioner desired he would
make some proposal, with which he would readily comply.
Fairfoul moved that the council would agree upon an act and
proclamation expressly banishing all those ministers from
their houses, parishes, and presbyteries, unless they received
collation or atimission from the bishop before the 1st of No-
vember, assuring the commissioner there would not be ten in
liis diocese who would not comply.

Upon this the council met at Glaswow, in the college fore-
hall, on the 1st of October, Bishop Burnet says, ' that Duke
< Llamilton told him they were all so drunk that day, that
' they were not capable of considering any thing that was laid

* before them, and would hear of nothing but the execuling

* of the law without any relenting or delay.' When the coun-
cil met the commissiuner laid before them the motion made
by Fairfoul, and urged the necessity of supporting the bishops
brought in by the king and parliament. Duke Hamilton, ac-
cording to Burnet, as well as Sir James Lockhart of Lee,
strenuously opposed the motion. However, no reasoning
could have any weight with men who were resolved upon es-
tablishing prelacy right or wrong •, accordingly the act pass-
ed, ordering all the ministers, who had entered since the year
lG4i), and would not receive collation or admission from the
bisho}), before the first of November follov.ing, to be depriv-
ed of tlicir stipends for the current year, and to remove from
their parishes and presbyteries, disch;n-ging them from exer-
cising any part of their ministerial oflice after that time ; and
that none of their paiishoners repair to their sermons, under

CHAP. IV. CKUnCH OF SCCTLAXD. 127

the pain of being punisheel as frequenters of private conven-
ticles and meetings. But, as Duke Hamilton signed this act,
as V. ell as otliers, it would seem that lio did not m;ike that op-
position which Burnet represents.

This was the fanious act of Glasgow, whereby the most part
of the west and south of Scotland >vas deprived of ministers.
However, the manao-ers were soon Convinced that they had
taken a wrong step ; for, after the commissioner's return, ac»
counts being daily brought of the dismal consequences of their
late proceedings, they met on the 4th of November, and wrote
to the archbishops of St Andrews and Glasgow, to repair as
soon as possible to Edinburgh, to give their advice at such 3
critical juncture. However, nothing was concluded in this
aiiair before the 2Sd of December, when the council gave mi-
nisters till the 1st of February to come and receive collation
or admission from the bishops, as abovej or else to remove out
of their parishes, presbyteries, and the dioceses of St Andrews
and Edinburgh ; and ordered all persons to rcpal)- constantly
to their own parish churches, &c. This was the last time
that Middleton sat in the council ; for soon after he went up to
London, where he suffered no small inconveniences ; and, iov
ought appears, never retu.rncd any more to Scotland.

Besides this general thrust made by the Glasgov/ act, at ail
the ministers who could not in conscience comply with pre-
lacy, many, both ministers and others, met with cruel and un-
just usage, /accordingly, on the 16th of September, because
several who were persecuted in the country re{:>aired to Edin-
burgh, the council ordered the magistrate© of that city to
oblige all their burgesses and inliabitants, every evening, to
give an account of their lodgers, under such penalties as tho
said magistrates should inflict. And the same day ordered aJi
the ministers of the town, v-'ho v.'ould not own the present es-
tablishment, no^ only to desist from the exercise of tiieir miv
iJstry, but also to- remove from the city at Martinmas next/
which v/as more than the act of parliament authorised. But
the council made no scruple to exceed the penalties inflicted
by the parliament, and to assume to themselves a paramont
power. The ministers submitted, except Mr Robert Lawriej
called the nest egg by the common people, who conformed to
prelacy, and soon at'ter died under remorse. Thus were tug
ministers of Edinburgh turned out, and v.cre succeeded by j>e"/-
sons that could in nothi^ig be compared v/ith them.

At Glasgov.- the council, after ordering- letters of intercory-
muning against James Campbell of Ardkinglasa, and Jainet
Campbell of Ormsay, passed an act a-^ainst Mr Donald C;'.r-
gil n)inister of the Barony- church at Cila^gow, for nof ob-
serving the '29ih c^Mav, and for no^ obt.!'::i' i'- h y,r.-^. ■■\.}:'; •

128 THE HISTORY OF THE- CHAP. IV.

and collation from th.e nrchi)i.sliGp of Glasgow, declaring his
chuixli to be vacant, and ordering hiin to transport himself,
family, and effects, bel'ore the 1 st of November following, to
the north side of the river Tay, under the penalty of being '
imprieoned and ];)r<>secutcd as a seditious person- The read-
er will observe, tliat his preaching against the defection and
sins of that time was wh.at was then constructed sedition.
The likt act was pa^:sed against Mr Thomas Vv^ylie minister
at Kirkcudbright; who, with the other bix^thren of timt pres-
bytery, continued preaching, and kept tiieir p]-psbyteries, not-
withstanding the act made against all such meetings. But
through the interposition of Lady Cochran that sentence was
stopt as to ]\Ir \^'yiie for two months longer.

On the 6'ih of November, the council commenced a process
against Sir Jame< Ib'tuart late provost of Edinburgh, and his
second son, for entertaining in their family Mr Hugli Mac-
kail, wlio, they pretrndcd, had, hi a sermon .abused the king
and the governmer;t in church and state j which wlien strict-
ly exav-ned, came to nothing. So Sir .James's son, whom
they had imprisonr 1; was set at libert}'^, but died soon after;
and Mr Mackail went abroad, to accomplish himself by tra-
vellihg for some years, and, upon his return, became the
greater object of the prelates malice, as we shall hear.

The same day tl-c learned, zealous, and pious Mr John
Brown, minister ;it Wamphray, v.as ordered to bt imprison-
ed for -})eaklng aQ-aii:-i those who countenanced these dioce-
san nss. mblics. Great were the hardshijis he underwent in
prison, for he was denied even the necessaries of hfe ; and
though, because of the ill treatment he met with, he was
brought almost to the gates of death, yet he could not have
the benefit of the I'ree air, until he signed a bond obliging
himself to a voluntary banishment without cause.

On the 18tk of November, the council ordered that the
following ministers, viz. Messieurs John Livingstone at An-
crum, Samuel Austin, John Neave at Newmills, John Car-
stairs, Matthew Mowat, Robert Trail, James Nasmitli, An-
di-ew Cant, elder, Alexander Cant his son, .I<.)hn Meuzies,
and George Meldrum at Aberdeen, Alexander Gordon at
Inverary, J. Cameron at Kilfennan, and James Gariliner al
Saddle, do, upon notice given them, repair to Edinburgh,
and ap]:)ear before the council against the 9th of December
next. They likewise ordered Mr GillK'rt Rule and Mr John
Drysdale to be secured •, but neither oi'lhem was apprehend-
ed. '1 he design wiiercof was to ibrce them either to comply
with the bishops, or be banished their country.

On the 11th of December, for it does not appear there
\vas anv gcdcruut on tlie 9th, to which the ministers above-

CHAP. iV. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 120

mentioned were summoned, the eminent and worthy Mr John
Livingstone was examined before the council ; and though
lie acknowledged the king as the only lawful, supreme, civil
governor over all persons, and in all causes ecclesiastic as
well as civil, yet, because he would not promise to keep the
anniversary of the 29th of May for the future, nor take the
oath of allegiance in the terms in which it was expressed, they
ordered that, within two months, he should remove out of
his majesty's dominions, and within forty-eight hours depart
from Edinburgh to the north of the Tay, and remain there
till he should leave the country, without being permitted to
see his wife and family. Upon receiving this cruel sentence,
he said, ' Well, although it be not permitted to me to

* breathe in my native air, yet, I trust, whatsoever part of the

< world I go into, I shall not cease to pray for a blessing to

* these lands, to his majesty, and the government, and the in-

* ferior magistrates thereof, but especially to the lands of my

* nativit}-.' Upon this they told him, that he must either go to
prison, or subscribe his acquiescence to the sentence ; which
last he complied with, and accordingly subscribeil the follow-
ing bond.

* T Mr John Livingstone, late minister of Apcrum, bind and

* ■*- oblige me, that I shall remove myself forth of his majcs-

* ty's dominions within the space of eight weeks after the date

< hereof; and that I shall not remain within the same hereat-

< ter, without licence fiom his majesty or privy-council, under

* the pain of death ; and that I shall depart from Edinburgh

* to the north side of l\ay, and there remain while my depar-

* ture; and that my going off from Edinburgh shall be with-

* in forty-eight hours after the date hereof Subscribed at

* Edinburgh, December the ilth, 1662.

JO. LIVINGSTONE.'

This Mr Livingstone was honoured remarkabl}' of God to
be the instrument of the conversion of thousands. In the
year 1 630, by his sermon on the Monday after the commu-
nion at the Kirk of Shots, from Ezck. xxxvi. 26'. about five
hundred persons dated their saving change. About two or
three years after, such another, and a more plentiful effusion
of the Spirit attended a sermon of his at a communion at
Hollywood in Ireland, where about a thousand wei-e brought
home to Christ. And great success attended him in the or-
dinary course of his ministry. He was one of those who was
sent to the king at Breda, and the person who tendered the
covenant to his majesty before he landed in Scotland. What
to think of the prelates, v/lio could not be easy till they had

VOL. I. 1

130 THE HISTORY or THE CHAP. IV.

got rkl of such a man as this, must be left to the reader. He
>vcnt to Holland, where he lived till August 1672,, and then
entered into the joy of the Lord. While in Holland he made
a Latin version of the Old Testament, which, though approv-
ed by many great men, was never printed.

The same day, Mr James Gardiner and Mr Robert Trail,
were in like man)icr sentenced to banishment for refusing to
take the oath of allegiance, and obliged to subscribe each of
them a bond as Mr Livingstone had done, with this differ-
once, that they w-ere to remove in a month ; however the
council was pleased to give Mr Trail a. little more time.

On the 16th of December, Mr John Menzics and Mr
George Meldrum appeared before the council, and declaring
their readiness to comply with the present established church-
government, so far as to join in presbyteries and synods, and
to take the oath of allegiance, they were recommended to the
archbishop of St Andrews in order to their restitution. We
shall see hovv burdensome tliis compliance became to Mr
Menzies before his death. Mr Meldrum was ordained by the
presbytery of Aberdeen 1659, but was stopt in tlie exercise
of his ministry by the alx)ve-mentioned act at Glasgow, about
fourteen days before the bishop of Aberdeen's first diocesan
synod, at which the bishop passed a sentence of deposition
against him and the learned and pious Mr IMenzies, for not
subscribing to the oath of canonical obedience, though they
offered submission to the jiresent church -government ; how-
ever, the council, finding them so far willing, recommended
them both to the primate, in order to their being both re-
stored. When this was presented to the bishop, he readily
}u-omised to obey it, and never spoke to them one word of the
oath of canonical obedience : when, in his letter to the bishop
of Aberdeen, he signified that they wex'e willing to own the
government, Mr Meldrum refused to receive it, unless lie
added this qualification, so far as to join in presbyteries and
synods -, to which the primate agreed, since they would take
it in no otlier terms. However, Mr Meldrum declared his
sorrow for that submission, though he never took the oath of
canonical obedience. He was remarkably useful, with his
colleague Mr IMenzies, in Aberdeen, against the Quakers and
Jesuits, till the self-contradictory test turned him out of that
city. And alter he had, with many faithful ministers, suffer-
ed no small jiersecution till King James's toljration, ho w^as
.settled at Kilwinning, and from thence translated to Edin-
burgh, where he filled the chair of divinity with much repu-
tation.

On the 23d of December, Mr John Neave appeared before
tlie coimcil, and was obliged to sign a bond to remove out of

CHAP. II. CHUPiCH OF SCOTLAND. ]3I

the nation against the first of February, upon his refusing the
oath of allegiance ; and for the same cause, Mr John Came-
}-on was ordered to confine himself within the bounds of Loch-
aber. Mr James Nasmith and Mr Samutl\(\ustin were rcfcr-
red to the commissioner, who was to deal with them as he saw
proper ; but he soon left the country, and it seems he remit-
ted Mr Nasmith to the council, who ordered him to confine him-
self within the bounds of the sheriffdom of Merse. Mr Alex-
ander Dunlop, minister at Paisley, was likewise sentenced to
be banished, for the same reason with the restj but happened
to be overlooked. Mr Alexander Gordon was prevented by a
violent fever, from being ordered before them. Thus Messrs
Livingstone, Trail, Brown, Neave, and Gardiner v/ent over
to Holland, which, at that time v.^as the asylum of the baiiish-
ed, merely for refusing the oath of allegiance, though all of
them were willing to take it in the same sense the managei's
said they had themselves taken it.

CHARY.

Of the dismal effects of the ejection of near 400 Ministers. Of
the acts and proceedings of the Council and Parliament , the
execution of Lord Waristonn and the s? firings of others
during the year 1663.

"O Y the act of Glasgow, spoke of in the preceding chapter,
-°-^ above a third part of the ministers in Scotland were
thrust from their charges, amounting to near 400. And the
hardship was the gi cater, that, generally speaking, they were
persons of remarkable grace and eminent gifts, godly, and la-
borious, a great many of them learned and able ministers, all
of them singularly dear to their people, and most of them had
suffered under the usurpation tor their loyalty to the king,
and refusing the tender ; so that all the presbyterians in Scot-
land suffered in a most sensible part, by being deprived of
them, especially as tliose who were intruded into their char-
ges \^cre men of a quite different character.

Bishop Burnet says, that the prejudices of the pcciple against
episcopacy was out of measure increased by the inciurihents,
who v.'cre put in the places of the ejected preachers, vvJio were
generally very mean and dopicable in all respects-, that thev
were the worst preachers he ever heard ; v>ei-e ignorant to a
reproach, and many of them openly vicious ; they were a dis-
grace to their sacred functions, and were indeed the dreg and
refuse of the northern parts ; those of them who rose above
contempt or scandal, were nien of such violent tempers, thnir
they were as much hated, as the others were dc>piscd.

i;>i THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. V.

It is easy tFien to perceive how dismal the ciicuir-stances of
pvesbytcrians were at that time, when so many places, espe-
cially in the west and south, u-crc left destitute ; for tlie most
part in the north country conformed. They could not in
conscience hear the new incumbents, called by the country
people curates^ because in so doing, they would have counte-
nanced those who had broken the covenant, and overturned
the whole v/ork of reformation : this would have been a vir- -
tual acknowledgment of the authority of the prelates, and an
approbation of that wicked act by which their own lawful mi-
nisters were ejected. Besides, these curates had not the qua-
lifications of ministers ; for they were neither sound in the
faith, nor moral in thek practice; neither had they a right to
officiate iti the places where they were thrust in, because, in-
stead of having the conseftt and appi-obation of the people,
they were imposed upon them by compulsion and violence.

As the people could not hear the new incumbents, in many
places they had twenty miles to go before they could hear
sermon •, some of them repaired to the older ministers, who
were not affected by the act of Glasgow ; they who could not
reach them, frequented the family-worship, and exercises of
the ejected ministers. And the numbers that came to their
houses were so great, that several of them were obliged to
preach without doors, and at length to go to the open fields.
This was the original of field-meetings in Scotland, which af-
terwards made so great a noise, that, some years after, it was
made death by law, first to the minister, and then to the
hedrers.

The ejection of so many excellent men could not fail to lay
die foundation of much distraction and trouble, especially as it
was for adhering to their known and professed principles, even
to the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the
church of Scotland, and to those sacred covenants which they
had frequently sworn, and often renewed. This was the cause
for which they were obliged to wander, with their numerous
families, many of them knew not whither, and that too in the
winter season : but a good and gracious God wonderfully pro^
vided for them and theirs, to their own confirmation and amaze-
ment.

Scotland was nc\er witness to such a sabbath as the last on
which tlicse ministers preached. It had not its parallel, except
to the presbyterians in England on the nth of August the pre-
ceding year ; for it was a day of mourning and lamentation,
and the beginning of great sorrow to the godly through the
nation.

Before considering the acts of council and parliament, this
year, I observe, that in February died Mr David Mitchell, who

BHAP. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 133

was made first bishop of Aberdeen after the restoration, though
his character did not merit any elevation in .the church, and was
succeeded by Mr Alexander Burnet.

This Mr Mitchell had detenwined to go to the church of Ma-
ryculter, in the presbytery of Aberdeen, and declare the same
vacant, but, as I am assured by a worthy minister now at Aber-
deen, he died the Saturday night before •, so that the pious and
excellent Mr Leask, minister of th^t parish, notwithstanding his
non-confermity, possessed his church till the year 1670, either,
as my informer saj^s, through some indulgence of Bishop Scou-
gal, 01' some remarkable restraint he was under. When Mr
Leask was on his death-bed, the episcopal incumbent of Peter-
cdlter went to see him, -^nd asked hiui wliat his thoughts were
now. To which the lioly xnan replied, I am dying in the faith
of what I have held, and ain as full of glory as a clay vessel can
hold : then bowed hii; head and died. There are other two in-
stances of presbyterian ministers in the synod of Aberdeen that
kept their parishes notwitliistanding the act of ejection, of which
I have an account from the same person, which may be depended
upon, viz. that of Mr Dumbar, minister at Keam in the pres-
bytery of Alford, who, partly protected by Lord Forbes, whose
parish-minister he was, and partly by his insignificant benefice
of 300 merks, continued many years, till he died, and l^Ir -Gil-
bert Clark, minister at New-de^^r in the presbytery of Deer,
having been chaplain to Colonel Keith, afterwards Earl Marshal,
and called h'ng in Bucbcm, v/as protected in his church by hiaii
till the time of the test, when the earl could not keep himself
In any public office, without taking that self-contradictory oath.
Mr Wodrow has given a large list of the ejected ministers, &c.
Append. No. 37, to which I must refer.

When the Earl of Middleton went to London, about the end
of the last year, he met with a very cold reception from his ma-
jesty ; for the Eaid of Lauderdale his rival, had opened up his
unjust proceedings with respect to the act of fines, whereupon
his majesty wrote to his privy-council in Scotland, dated January
the 23d, ordering them to issue out a proclamation for jsuspend-
ing the execution of the said act till farther orders. The coun-
cil received this letter on the 12th of February, and tlxe same
day drew up a proclamation accordingly. But next day they
leceived a letter from Middleton, desiring them, in his majesty's
name, to do nothing in that affair, and therefore they stopt the
publishing of the proclamation, and recommended to the lord
chancellor to write to the commissioner Middleton to signify the
same to his majesty. The king was so displeased, upon receiv-
ing this information, that, on the 10th of March, he sent another
letter to the council requiring the orders he had given in his
former to be punctually obeyed. And therefore the chancellor

io-i THE HISTORY OF THE cHAF. V.

ordered the proclamation to be published at the cross of Edin-
burgh, for which he had the council's approbation and thanks.
Lauderdale having now got the king's ear, managed his affairs
so well that Middieton was obliged to resign all his places.

During these things ' Sharp was prevailed witli to go to
court. He promised to the Earl of Middleton's friends that he
would stick firm to him, and lay before the king, that his stand-
ing or falling must be the standing or falling of the church.
Of this the Earl of Lauderdale had advice sent him. Yet when
Sharp came to London, and saw that the king was alienated from
Middleton, he resolved to make great submissions to Lauder-
dale. When he reproached him for his engagements to Mid-
dleton, he denied all, and said, he had" never gone farther than
what was decent, considering his post. He also denied that he
had wrote to the king in his favour ; but the l-dng had given
the original letter to Lord Lauderdale, who upon that shewed it
to Sharp, Vv^ith which he was so struck, that he fell a crying in
the most abject manner. He begged pardon for it, and said,
what could a company of poor men refuse to the Earl of Mid-
dleton,. who had done so much for thern, and had them so en-
tirely in his power I Lauderdale, upon this, comforted him, and
said he would forgive tliem all that was past, and would serve
them and the church at another rate than Lord Middleton was
capable of doing. So Sharp became v/holly his.'

Middleton after this lived in obscurity, till the governor's
place at Tangier fell vacant by the death of the Lord Ruther-
ford, v.'^hen the king v/as prevailed upon to confer that post upon
lum, as a reward for establishing prelacy in Scotland. And
thus, after he had banished so many worthy and excellent mi-
nisters, he was himse.a r.'.nt to die in a foreign land. He lived
in contempt there for a little while ; and at last, by a fall, he
Invoke the bone of his right arm, and th.e broken bone, at another
fall down a pair of stairs, pierced his side, and Vv'ounded him in
such a manner, that he first turned stupid and very quickly died.
Mr Wodrow says, that, at the time of taking tlie covenant, such
was his zeal for it, tliat, coming from the place where he and
several more had taken it, he said to some gentlemen, and ethers
about him, ' that this was the, pleasantest day ever he had seen,
* and if ever he should do any thiiig against that blessed work
' he had been engaging in, holding up his right hand, he wished
' to God that might be his death.' I'hus fell the great over-
turner of the reformation in Scotland.

Upon Middleton's resignation Lauderdale had the manage-
ment of ihe Scots affairs committed to him, and came down to
Scotland alo;\g v/ith the Earl of Rothes, who was made the
king's commissioner to the ensuing session of parliament, and
the Earl cf Twceddale was made ^resident of the council.

CHAP. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1?^.')

During these things the council had scarce done witli perse-
cuting the west countrj ministers, before they commenced a new
process against a greater number in the synod of Galloway, to
which it is likely they were instigated by the bishop of that dio-
cese, because few or none of them had conformed, or attended
on their meetings. Accordingly, on the 24th of February, the
council ordered about 26 of them to remove, with their wives,
children, servants and substance, from their houses, and the
bounds of their respective presbyteries, by the 24Lh of March,
at the same time prohibiting them to exercise any psrt of their
ministerial office, and to appear on the said day before the coun-
cil. Accordingly nine of them appeared, and declared, that
rather than conform to the present establishment, they were
willing to remove ; however, the prosecution against them was
postponed, and^ all the others, u'lio did not appear, w^ere obliged
to leave their churches and habitations, though seme of .them
had been ordained before the year 1649, and consequently were
not included in the Glasgow act of ejectment. And about 14
ministers of the diocese of Dunkeld were served in the same
manner. Such were the desolations which were then made at
the instigation of the prelates !

On the 3d of March the council appointed one Mr John
Wilkie to collect the vacant stipends, which were now very
many, and would amount to a considerable suir, with power to
distribute them am.ong those whom they called sufferers in the
late times ; but though the presbyterians were among the great-
est and were now brought imder intolerable hardships, they got
no share thereof. At the same time the diocesan meeting in
Galloway was postponed to the 2d Wednesda;^" of May, because
few or none of the ministers thej'e would countenance it.

And though, on the 24th of Pvlarch, they recommended to
each of the bishops to use their utmost endeavours to suppress
the dreadful growth of popery, yet they acted in this matter
with a very slack hand; v/hereas, had they been as zealous for
suppressing popery as they were for rooting out of presbytery,
they would not have found much difficulty.

The same day they desired the lord chancellor lo write to Sir
James Turner, or any other person he should judge proper, to
take notice of all persons who keep up private meetings or con-
venticles, for alienating the hearts of the subjects from, the pre-
sent establishment in church aiid state, and to give a<i account
of them to the council. Tlicse, it seems, were eit'/.er the meet-
ings for w^orship in the Irbuscs of the ejected niirdsters, or those
among good people for prayer and religious conference ; how
far these tended to alienate the hearts of the people from
his majesty, must be left with the reader; but it is too well
knov/n, that men of prelatic principles have eyer been against

13(J THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. V-

such religious societies, though they had much of the Lord's
countenance and presence among them, especially in this perse-
cuting period.

These things considered, it needs not be surprising that the
settlement of the curates did meet with opposition in several
places. Accordingly, at Irongray near Dumfries, and at Kirk-
cudbright, the inhabitants openly opposed those that were in-
truded upon them. The famous Mr John Welsh, having been
minister at Irongray, his ejection was most galling to the people ;
and when the curate found he could not obtain a peaceable ad-
mission, he returned upon them with an armed force : but the
women there, headed by one Margaret Smith, opposed the party
who were guarding the curate, and fairly beat them off with
stones. A tumult of the like kind happened about the saxne
time at Kirkcudbright.

Upon tliis the chancellor wrote to the magistrates of Kirkcud-
bright to apprehend the persons principally concerned in the
riot there, and at the same time gave a commission to the Earls
of Linlithgow, Galloway and Annandale, the Lord Drumlanerk
and Sir John Wauchope of Niddry, or any two of them, to re-
pair to these places to examine into the affair, and to apprehend
and imprison all whom they shoiild find to have been concerned ;
and the more effectually to execute their commission, Linlith-
gow was ordered to take along with him 100 horse and 200 of
the king's guards, to take free quarters in the parish of Irongray,
or to raise from the burgh and parish as much money as would
amount to half-a-crown a day for every horseman, and one shil-
ling for every foot soldier, during their stay there, besides th?
ordinary pay of the officers, and by force of arms, to suppress
all meetings or insurrections of the people, if any should happen.

Those that were found most guilty at Kirkcudbright, were
John Lord Kirkcudbright, John Carson of Seimick, and John
Euart, late provost there, and about five women, who were all
carried prisoners to Edinburgh. There were about 14 other
women who were found accessory, and ordei'ed to be imprisoned
till they found bail to appear before t)ie council. One William
Arnot was found chiefly concerned at Irongray, and was sent to
Edinburgh with the rest ; all who visited them in prison were,
by order of the council, watched lest they should pray with
them. Margaret Smith was likewise carried to Edinburgh, and
sentenced to be banished ; but, when before the managers, slie
told her tale so simply, that the sentence was not executed.
What was done with Lord Kirkcudbright I cannot tell ; but
Carsan, Euart, and Arnot, were fined to a most immoderate de-
gree. Arnot was ordered to acknowledge his offence two se-
\ eral Lord's days at the church of Irongray, and the five women
to starxd two hours in the pillory at Kirkcudbright, for two

CaAP. V» CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 137

several market days, with papers on their foreheads signifying
their fault. And though they had no proof against any parti-
cular person at Irongray, yet, because there had been a tumult,
the whole party of horse and foot were ordered to take free
quarters in the parish, and this besides other oppressions. Such
were the proceedings of the managers, because a few women in
two parishes had put some aftronts on the curates. The rest,
after a considerable time's imprisonment, were set at liberty.

When these commissioners were in the south the troubles of
the excellent laird of Earlston began. The commissioners on
the 21st of May, wrote to him from Kirkcudbright, requiring
that he would order an edict to be served in favour of. one Mr
Hay to be admitted minister at Dairy, of which he was patron.
Earlstoun returned a very respectful answer, in which he gave
solid reasons why he could not comply. But the commission-
ers, knowing his steady attachment to Presbyterian principles,
were resolved to bring liim into trouble, and therefore summoned
him before the council, where he met with very se% ere treat-
ment, as we shall after waids find.

On the 24th of May a petition was presented to the council
from Mr James Macgil laic minister at Largo, for leave to at-
tend a meeting of the tutors of the late Vi^scount of Oxenford's
children, of which he was one ; for the reader inust observe,
that those ministers, who v/ere net reached by the Glasgow act,
were confined to their own parishes as prisoners at large, so that
upon every emergency, they were obliged to apply to tlie coun-
cil for liberty to come out of their confinement.

On the 2d of June they made a very good act against the
Quakers ; but the bishops gave the council so much to do
against the presbyterian non-coixformists, that these people
were suffered to rest in quiet ; and they mightily increased
during this reign.

On the 15th of June were read in council the earl of Rothes's
commissions, to be commissioner to the parliament in the room
of Middleton, and lord high-treasurer in the room of the Earl
of Crawford, who resigned that oflice because he could not sign
the declaration appointed by the parliamxcnt last year. At the
same time Lauderdale took his seat in the comicii, with his bro-
ther Charles, afterwards Lord Hattoun, John Hume of Ren-
toun, and the two archbishops.

On the ISth of June the parliament sat down, when the
bishop of Aberdeen preached before them. The business of
this session went op according to the direction of Lauderdale,
and the whole former proceedings in the affair of ballotting was
so laid open, as finished Middleton's disgrace.

The former sessions had left very little for this to do, in fa-
vour of the prelates, unless to screen them from the opposition

13S THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. II.

of the country, and lay a foundation for a more open and uni-
versal persecution than was ever in Scotland since the reforma-
tion from Popery.

Thus by their 2d act, intitled. Act against separation and dis-
obedience to ecclesiastical authority^ all non-conform ministers,
that shall presume to exercise their office in any manner what-
soever, were to be punished as seditious persons ; and all with-
drawing from, and not attending upon the worship of God in
their own parish-churches, v.'ere declared seditious and of dan-
gerous example and consequence ; and therefore all who were
found guilty, in this respect, were to incur the following pe-
nalties, viz. each nobleman, gentleman and heritor, the fourth
part of his yearly revenue ; every yeoman, tenant, or farmer,
the loss of such a proportion of his free moveables, after paying
his rent, as the council shall thinli fit, not exceeding a fourth
part ; and every burgess the loss of his freedom and the fourth
part of his moveables. And the council was authorised to put
this act in execution, to inflict such other corporal punishment
as they should see proper, and do every other thing that they
should see necessary for procuring obedience to this act, which
was called The bishop''s drag-net.

It is plain this act strikes both at ministers and people, for
they who received their ministry from Christ were forbid to
discharge the same under severe penalties, unless they renounced
their principles, and in opposition to the dictates of their own
conscience, complied v/ith abjured prelacy ; the people must
hear the intruders ; and, in short, an luilimited power was given
to the council.

By their 3d act all in public trast were required to sign the
declaration appointed last year against the llth of November:
returns were qrdered to be made to the counc;il by the first of
January ; and, if persons elected to be counsellors and magi-
strates refuse to sign, they were for ever declared incapable of
being magistrates, and of merchandising. So that, if a party
had a mind to get rid of any conscientious Presbyterian, who
had a good trade, they had no more to do, but to get him
chosen a magistrate or counsellor, for they were sure he would
Jiot sign the declaration *.

Tlie 5th act was for establishing a national synod, consisting
of i\\z archbishops and bishops^ deans and archdeans, &.c. but
then nothing was to b? enacted that could not be confirmed by
the king or his commissioner. It was declared that it was ne-
cessary, for the honour of God and the good of souls, that there
be a national synod ; and if so, then the prelates had neither of

. * For refusing to sign the above-mentioned declaration, JoI»i Earl of Craw-
ford losr his ofiiice of ior.i-trcasurer, and Sir James Dundas cf Arniston his post of
or.n of :I'^ lords of 3:?3:pn.

CIIAf. V. CHURCIf OF SCOTLAND. 139

these before their eyes ; for, though it passed at their desire,
they took effectual care to prevent the ulceting of any such
synod.

This parliament, says Mr Wodrow, ordered a levy to be
made, if need be, of 20,000 foot and 2000 horse, for the pre-
servation of Christendom against the Turks ; and adds, that
though it was never made, yet it had been much better em-
ployed this way, than in persecuting Protestants. Burnet re-
lates it thus ; x\nothar act was looked upon as a pompous com-
pliment, and so it passed without any opposition. In it they
made an offer to the king of an army of 20,000 foot and 2000
horse to be ready upon summons to march with 40 days provi-
sion into any part of his majesty's dominions, to oppose inva-
sions, to suppress insurrections, or for any other cause in which
his authority, power, or greatneis was concerned. None dream-
ed, says the bishop, that ever any use was to be made of this ;
yet Lauderdale had his ov/n end in it, to let the king see what
use he might make of Scotland, if he should intend to set up
arbitrary govei'nm.ent in England. The rest of the acts of this
session, relating to civil affairs, do not come under cur present
consideration.

On the 24th of June, Lord Lcrn, who was condemned the
last session, was set at liberty from the castle of Ediiiburgh ;
and, a few days after this session rose, a patent came down re-
storing him to all his grandfather's estate ; only as his father
was much in debt when he di6d, his lordship vras restricted to
15,000/. Scots a-year till the debts v/erc paid off.

Mean tim.e Sir Archibald Johnston, Lord Waristoun, met
with quite different usage. For having, after the sentence of
forfeiture and death passed against him by the first session of
this parliament, gone abroad to escape the fury of his enemies,
even there did their crafty malice reach him.

When at Hamburgh he was seized v/ith a severe illness,
during which Dr Bates, one of King Charles's physicians, gave
him poison instead of physic, and then ordered to draw from
him siiity ounces of blood, by which he Avas brought to the
gates of death, and so far lost his memory, that he could not
remember what he had done or said a quarter of an hour before,
and continued in that condition ever after.

At last, going unad\-isedly into France, one Alexander Mur-
ray, being dispatclied in quest of him, apprehended him at Roan,
whnle engaged in secret prayer, a duty wherein he greatly de-
lighted. In January he was brought over prisoner and com-
mitted to the Tov/er of London, where he continued till the be-
ginning of June, wlien he was sent down to Edinburgh to be
executed. His carriage, during his passage, was truly Chris-
tian. He landed at Leith en the Stl- of June, and was commit--

140 THE HISTORY Ol' Till: C'dAP. V.

ted to the tolbootli of Edinburgh. From thence he was brought
before the parliament on the 8th of July. His ncpliew, Bishop
Burnet, says, he was so disordered, bot.li in body and inind, that
it was a reproach to any government to proceed against him.
When at the bar of the house he discovered such weakness of
memory and judgment, that every person almost lamented him,
except Sharp and the other bishops, who scandalously and base-
ly triumphed over, and publicly derided him, though it is well
kuov/n Lord V/aristoun was once in case to have reasoned be-
fore the greatest assembly in Europe, nay, and to have presided
in it.

It seems that many of the members of parliament were in-
clined to spare his life ; for, upon the question. Whether the
time of his execution should be just now fixed or delayed, Lau-
derdale interposed, upon calling the rolls, and made a most
threatening speech for his present execution : accordingly sen-
tence was pronounced, that he be hanged at the cross of Edin-
burgh on tiie 2 2d of July, and his head placed on the Nether-r
bow port beside that of Mr Guthrie. He received his sentence
with such meekness as all were filled with admiration ; for then
he desired that the best blessings of heaven might be upon his
majesty, on the state and churcli, whatever befel himself, and
that God would give his majesty true and faithful counsellors.

During the whole time of his iiiiprisonment he was in a
most spii'itual and tender frame, to the conviction of his very
eaemiei ; and the nearer his death approached, the composure
of his mind became the more conspicuous. He rested agree-
ably the night before his execution, and in the morning was
full of consolation, sweetly expressing his assurance of being
clothed with a long white robe, and of getting a new song of
the Lamb's praise in his mouth before night. He dined with
cheerfulness, hoping to sup in heaven, and to drink the next
cup fresh and nev/ in liis Father's kingdom. And, after he liad
spent some time in secret, about two o'clock he was taken from
prison, attended by several of his friends in mourning, though
he liimsclf was full of holy cheerfulness and courage, and in a
perfect serenity of mind. When going to the scaffold, he said,
frequently to the people, your prayers, your prayers I When
he was on the scaffold, he said, I intrcat you quiet yourselves a
little, till tiiis dying man deliver his last v/ords among you ; and
desired they would not be offended at his making use of his pa-
per, to help his memory so much inipaired by long sickness
and the malice of physicians ; then he read his speech (which is
recorded in Naphtaii, and in I\Ir Wodrow's appendix) first from
the one side of the scaffold and then from the other, in which he
bewailed his compliaiicc with the usurpers, and declared his ad-
herence to the covenants and work of reformation. After this

CHAP. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND-. 14i

he praj^ed with the greatest fervency, and, in a very great rap-
ture, beginning thus, Abba, Abba, Father, Father, accept this
thy poor sinful servant coming unto thee through the merits of
Jesus Christ, &c. There v^'ere no ministers allowed to be witli
him, but those present observed that God sufficiently made up
that want. He was helped up the ladder by some of his friends
in deep mourning, and, as he ascended, he said. Your prayers,
your prayers, I desire your prayers in the nam.e of the Lord.
Such was the value he had for that duty.. When got to the
top of the ladder, he cried with a lotid voice, * I beseech you

* all who are the people of God, not to scare at sufferings for

* the interest of Christ, or stumble at ajiy thing of this kind

* falling out in these days, but be encouraged to suffer for him;
' for I assure you, in the name of the Lord, he will bear youi-
' charges.' At last he bid the executioner do his office, and
crying out, O pray ! praise ! praise I was turned off, and died
almost without any struggle, v/ith his hands lifted up to hea-
ven. He v/as buried in the Grey-friars church-yard, and his.
head was fixed on the Nether-bow beside that of his dear friend
Mr Guthrie. And thus fell the eminently pious and learned
Lord Warristoun ; so that, as the foundation, of prelacy was
laid in the blood of the noble marquis of Argyle, and the wor-
thy Mr James Guthrie, the building was cemented by the blooi
of Lord Warristoun.

A little before the execution of this great man, the council^
on the 14th of July, ordered Mr James Wood, principal of tke
college of St Andrews, and minister there, to be summoned
before them on the 23d, for continuing to exercise his office.
He was scarcely allowed to speak in his own defence, and was.
sentenced to confine himself within Edinburgh till farther orders.
Whereupon hs told them, he was sorry they had condemned a,
a person without hearing, whom they could not charge with, tlie
breach of any law.

At the same tim.e the council, at the instigation of the bishop
of Glasgow, ordered Messrs Alex. Livingstoun late at Big-
gar, Matthew Mackail at Bothwcl, John Guthrie at Tarbol-
ton, John Blair at Mauchlin, John Schaw at Selkirk, George
Johnstoun at Ncwbottle, John Hardy at Gordon, Archibald
Hamilton at Wigton, George Wwich at Kirkinner, and A-^.-
thony Murray at Kirkbean, ministers, to appear before thent
on the 23d of July, under the pain of rebellion. iVccordiagly
Messrs Hardy, "Mackail and Livingstone appearetl, and v/sxt
confincd within the city of Edinburgh till farther orders,, and
in the mean time discharged from keeping any private con-
venticles.

The same day a deputation was appointed to '.vait upon il't
.coiTj,mission.er<, to tak-? •.avrx^ general course with all the rioivccr >■

lA^ THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. V.

form ministers ; and on the SOth of Jul}-, Messieurs Matthew
Ramsay at Old Kirkpatrick., James Walkinshaw at Eadernock,
Hugh Smith at Eastwood, James Hamilton at Eglisham, and
James Blair at Cathcart, were ordered to answer for their sedi-
tious carriage, /. c. for continuing, to preach the gospel, under
pain of rebellion. Mr Hardy appearing, and owning thjtt he
had preached, the council declared liis church vacant, and or-
dered him, within 14 days, to remove £^0' miles from his parish,
six miles from any cathedral church,, and three miles from any
royal burgh, in all time coming. And this was a prelude to
the mile ace we shall presently hear of. On this SOth of Jidy,
letters were ordered to be directed to summon Mr Williain Gordon
of Earlstoun to appear before them for his factious and seditious
carriage, /. e. his refusing to hear the curate, and his favouring
the ejected ministers.

Mr Mackail ventured back to Bothwel, and escaped for som.e
time ; Mr Livingstone is said to have been coalined to his parish
till farther orders ; Messieurs Johnstoun, Cuninghame, and Elair,
were confined to the north side of tlie Tay ; Mr Ramsay was
remitted to .the archbishop of Glasgow ; and Mr Smith and Mr
Walkingsiiaw were ordered to obey tlie mile act made a few
days before.

For, on the 13tli of Augiist, the council taking under their
consideration, that several ministers, vvho by law, (r. c. the laws
lately made") have no riglit to preach or reside in their parishes,
do not with standing preach, administer the sacraments, and keep
disorderly conventicle?, &:c. made an act, and published a pro-
claination commanding all such ministers, within twenty days
after the publication of the same, to remove themselves, families
and substance out of their respective parishes, and not to reside
within twenty miles of the same, nor within six miles of Edin-
burgh, or any cathedral church, or three miles of any royal
burgh. This act extended to those ministers who were ordained
before 1C49^ unless they attended the bishop's courts.

Hei-e we may see, J . That the council had neither instruc-
tions from the king, nor authority from the parliament to make
this act, yea, they agreed to it, and published the proclamation,
even though the parliament was then sitting; so that they as-
sumed a power properly parliamentary under their very nose.
2. This shews the persecuting spirit and temper of the bishops ;
for this V7as the first act of council after* the two archbishops
were members of it, and it is not unlikely that it was entirely
owing to th:m, who could not endure prcsbyterian ministers in
their neighbouvliood. . 3. Every person iriust see what hardships
poor ministers and their small families v.ere put to by th"s.
They were removed, merely for conscience sake, far from their
beloved people, who might and doubtless would have relieved

CHAP. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 143

them in their necessities ; nay, by this they were deprived of
the means of educating their children, at least they must be at
double charges, and have them removed from under their in-
spection when at school ; for the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel I

The bishops being vexed that any presbyterian ministers
from Ireland should have shelter in Scotland, and that numbers
refused to hear the curates, the council, on the 7th of October,
made an act, ordering all persons who should come from Ireland,
without sufiicient testimonials, either to return within fifteen
days, or be imprisoned and treated as seditious persons ; and
declaring that all persons who withdraw from their parish-
churches, after three admonitions given them by the ministers
of the respective parishes, shall be proceeded against upon the
minister's attestation of his having intimidated the names of
such persons ; and all noblemen, sheriffs, &:c. and cfHcers of the
army, were required to assist and concur with ministers, in see-
ing the law, in that case made and provided, duly put in execu-
tion. How equitable it v/as to make ministers witnesses in
their own cause, and put the executive poxver in the hands of
the army, must be left with tlie reader.

On the 29th of September, Sideserfe, Bishop of Orkney, died,
and o:i the 9th of October following the parliament was dissolv-
ed, which, says Bishop Burnet, gave a general satisfaction to
the countiy, because they were a furious set of people. We
shall hear no more of parliaments for six years to come. 'When
the session was ended, several persons of quality we^it to Lon-
don, amongst whom was the Earl of Rothes, who met wuth a
gracious reception from his majesty, and was made a I^Icniber
of the Privy-Council of England. But to return to the affairs
of Scotland, where things were still growing worse and worse,
and the effects of prelacy appearing more and more dismal.

On the 13th of October the council gave orders to the Earl
of Linlithgo^v to march with a number of foot to Kirkcudbright,,
which, with the soldiers there already, might make 160 men^
to quarter till farther orders ; and at the same time ccmmand-
cd Sir Robert Flemijig to march one squadron of the life-guards
to quarter at Kilmarnock, and another at Paisley.

On the f d of November Archbishop Fairfoul died at Edin-
burgh, and v/as interred w-ith great funeral solemnity in the
east end of the Abbey-church.

On the 24th of November, the council being informed that
the Laird of Earlstcun kept conventicles and private meetings
ia liis house, notv/ithstanding the laws against such practices,
ordei"ed letters to be directed against him, to appear before
then^ the- rday of '■■ to ar.sv/er for liis contempt, under U.e,

it

144 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. V-

pain of rebellion. We shall find more concerning liiin after-
wards.

On the same day Linlithgow was ordered to write a letter
of thanks to Sir James Turner, for his care and pains in seeing
the laws concerning church government duly obeyed, &.c.

This Sir James, as the author of the memoirs of the Church
of Scotland observes, * was a tool to their minds, a stranger in
the country, being an Englisliman, bred to plunder and rapine
in the service of the French, perfectly void of the fear of God
or man, and unacquainted either with religion or humanity.'
But though he was ready enough to execute his orders with ri-
gour, yet we shall hear afterward that he was obliged to exceed
the bounds of his own inclinations to satisfy the bishop of Gal-
loway, who was fierce and cruel, as all apostates use to be.

The council, finding that the body of the people in the west
and south were most dissatisfied with prelacy, and having given
the army power to levy the fines appointed by parliament, sent
a considerable body of forces with the strictest orders, to ob-
lige all persons to submit to the bishops and their curates,
which occasioned the most grievous oppressions and exactions -
under colour of lav.'.

The process was very short in cases of non-conformity. The
curate accused whom he pleased to Sir James, or any of the of-
ficers, and frequently to a private centinel. The soldier is
judge, no witnesses or proof is required, but the sentence is
summarily pronounced, and the soldier executes his own sen-
tence, and with the greater chearfulness, that the money, ge-
nerally speaking, came into his own pocket ; and often the fine
exceeded what the law appointed. They behaved just as if
tliey had been in an enemj-'s country. If a tenant or head of a .
family was unwilling or unable to pay, the soldiers were sent
to quarter upon him till they had destroyed ten times the value
of the fine ; and, when poor families were no longer able to
sustain them, they were spoiled of their goods, which were
sold for a trifle.

In these quartcrlngs family-worsiiip was ridiculed, they who
performed it v/ere treated by the profane soldiery as if it had
been a conventicle. Multitudes were cruelly beat, and drag-
ged to church or priiion with equal violence. And thus huu-
dreds of religious families in the west and south were scattered
and reduced to extreme necessity, and t-lieir landlords obliged
either to conceal themselves or leave the country. Now, whe-
ther this was not a more proper method for extirpating than es-
tablishing of church-government, the reader may judge. If it
be said, that none can account for the extravagance of soldiers ;
then the more to blaine ^vere they who intrusted them with
3

CIL\P. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 145

tfich power, and did not cashier the officers for not restraining
ih^tm.

However, it must be granted that the blood-thirsty curates
had no ymall share in this oppression ; for in most parishes they
made a li::;t of their congregations, not for the performance cf
any part of their ministry, (that was the least of their care,)
but to expose their non-conforming parishoners to the ravages
of the army. After sermon this list was called over from the
pulpit, and all who were absent, except some favourites, were
delated to the soldiers ; after which no defences could be heard,
tlie line must either be paid, or their houses quartered upon.

As the churches of the old presbyterian ministers, who were
not asyet ejected, were much crowded, the soldiers when the
worship was near over, vvent armed thereto, and obliged the
people to go out one by one, and declare, upon oath, whether
they belonged to that congregation ; and they who could not
do this, though their own parishes were vacant, were immedi-
ately fined, and what money they had about them taken from
them. If they had none, then their Bibles, the men's coats
and the women's plaids, Avere seized by these v.Tctched execu-
tioners ; so that the soldiers ^e^a^n^d laden with spoil ; na}', in
some places they would enter the churches by force, and inter-
rupt divine worship. One party would stand at one door, a
second at another, aud a third entered the church, and obliged
the people to go all out at one door, and they who would not
presently svs'ear they belonged to that p?.rish, were rifled of all
that tliey had, and sometimes dragged to prison ; and after all,
the poor people were sometimes forced to give it under their
liand that they were kindly used.

It Avould seem that even the council themselves were asham,-
ed of the rigorous proceedings of these military gentlemen ; for,
on the 24th of November, they issued a proclamation, forbid-
ding the officers of the standing army to exact any of the pen-
alties contained in the fore -mentioned act, except the twenty
.shillings Scots from every person who absents from his own
parish-church on the sabbath-day. But when soldiers are once
let loose, restrictions will not easily tame them.

Abaut the end of the year the council v.-ere at much pains
to press subscribing of the declaration imposed by the parlia-
ment upon all in pla(,es of trust. But it is time nov/ to o-o on
tn.

VOT.. J.

no THE HISTORY OF THE

CHAP. VI.

Of the erection and proceedings of the High-Commission and the
Acts of Council^ together with the state and sufferings of the
Presbyterians till the year 166G.

rriHE king being pleased with the conduct of his privy-coun-
-*- cil, relating to the declaration against the covenant, wrote
to the chancellor, desiring that they would take all possible
pains, that those who had not yet subscribed it might be en-
joined to do it, and that the places of those who refused might
be supplied with proper persons j this they readily complied
with, and gave his majesty an account of their diligence ; nay,
they canied this point so far,^ that some who were chosen to be
magistrates were prosecuted for not accepting, because they
could not, in conscience, comply with these terms of accept-
ance ; for when John Porter, Gilbert Wylie, John Reid elder,
John Gray, Alexander Gardiner, Ninian Holmes, and some
others, who were out of the kingdom, were elected to be ma-
gistrates or members, of the town-council of Irvine, the privy-
council ordered them to be summoned before them, because ra-
ther than subscribe against their conscience, they had refused
to accept the charge.

But the chancellor, and some others were not for driving so
fast as the prelates would have them, and Glencairn, in parti-
cular, was highly displeased with the insolence of the primate.
Wherefore, about the end of the last year,. * Sharp went up to
London to complain of the priv}' -council, where he said there
was such remissness, and so much popularity appeared on all
occasions, that unless some more spirit was put in the admini-
stration, it v/ould be impossible to preserve the church.' That
Avas the word always used, as if there had been a charm in it.
He moved that there might be a letter writ giving him the pre-
cedence of the lord-chancellor, and that the king would grant
a special commission to some persons for executing the laws re-
lating to the church. AccorcUngly the king granted a commis-
sion ' to the Archbishop of St Andrews, the lord-chancellor,
' the lard-ti-easurer, the Archbishop of Glasgow, Duke Hamil-
' ton, the Marquis of Montrose, the Earls of Argyle, Atliol,
' \3c. or any five of them, an archbishop or bishop being one

* of tlie number, to call before them, when and v.'here they
' should appoint, all popish trafiickers, &c. (but papists lived

* very quietly under this reign) all obstinate contemners of tlie
^ discipline of the church — all keepers of conventicles- — ail who
'' preached in private houses, or elsewhere, without licence
' from the bishoii — ull who keep meetings at fists au:I the ad-

cnAP. vr. CHURCH of Scotland. 147

* minstration of the Lord's supper, not approven by aiitliority —

* all who speak, preach, write, or print to the scandal and de-

* triment of the present government in church and state — all

* who do not attend divine worship at their parish-churches,
' 'i^c. with power to said commissioners, or any five of tliem,
' an archbishop or bishop being one, to censure ministers with

* suspension or deposition ; and to punii;h by fining, confining,
' i^c. all who shall be found transgressors, according a^ they

* shall judge of their offence, not exceeding the fines and pu-
' nishments appointed by the parliament and council ; (they
' frequently found pretences to exceed this restriction.) ' Com-
' manding the captains of his majesty's guards, the officers of
' the army and militia, 'iSc. to search for and apprehend all

* such delinquents, and present them before the commissioners,
' upon v/arrant from any five of their number : — ordaining, far-
' ther, the lords of the privy -council to direct letters of horn-
' ing for the payment of the fines appointed by the commission-
' ers, in case delinquents should refuse to appear before them. —
' And generally, the commissioners aforesaid are authorised and

* impowered to do and execute v/hat they shall find necessary
' for his majesty's service. And that a business of such import-
' ance may take a speedy successful effect, — it is his majesty's
' pleasure, that this his commission shall endure to the first of
' November 1664, and after, till it be discharged by his ma-
' jesty, and that the first meeting thereof, be at Edinburgh the
' fii-st Wednesday of March next to come, and the after meet-

* ings in such places, and as often as shall be judged necersary.
* — Given at Whitehall, January the 16th — 1664.'

This was certainly one of the most infamous courts that ever
was erected in any protestant nation. In it were nine bishops
to thirty-five laymen ; but the bishops v/ere made necessary
members, and four, with any one prelate, were declared to be
a quorum, which were too few of such a number, though, tht;
better for the purposes of their appointment. After the clause
about papists, who were generally overlooked, all that fol-
lows is levelled at the presbyterians. And, besides the ordi-
nary crimes of conventicles and ministers exercisin;^ their office,
all were exposed to prosecution who keep rheetiugs at fasts and
the sacrament of the Lord's supper. These were too serious
exercises for the bishops, whose consciences, probably, smote
them, so that they v/erc afraid of the joint prayers of the
Lord's people. Their power was most exten'r.V'.. They v/ere
impowered to hear and determine causes, without appcaL could
suspend and depose churchmen, fine, confine, and impr"son all
v\7ho should be accounted transi;rcssors ; nav, t'ley were autho-
rised to do and execute what they should find necessary for his
inaies'-y'«^ s?rvic?. And v.'hat will not these prelates iir»d ncccs-

14^ THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. Y,

sary for securing themselves and their underlings, if we may
judge from their former proceedings ? This court was of a he-
terogeneous nature, and, as one calls it, a hotch-potch mongrel-
monster. Here were bishops and peers, inferior magistrates and
military officers, X^c. all blended together. Their proceeding
was as unaccountable, unjust and CTuel, as their power and au-
ihority was extravagant and illegal : for persons were brought
before them without any information, accusation, witness or
accuser ; but, being fetched in, were obliged to answer, super
hiquireiidis., to whatever questions were proposed. Lawful de-
fences were neither received nor admitted ; and if any offered
to propose an-y thing of that nature, he was required first to
take the oath of allegiance or supremacy, the refusal of which
was reckoned guilt sufllcient. In short, the oppressions and
grievances of this detectable court, whereof I shall give a few
instances, were, in many things, noways inferior to that of the
Spanish inquisition ; mean time it will be proper to mention
the most remarkable intervening occurrences.

We have seen, that when Sharp moved for tlie high-commis-
sion court, he at the same time proposed that himself might
]iave the precedence of all the officers of state ; which motion
I he king likewise complied with, and accordingly sent a letter
to the privy-council, of the same date with the high-commis-
sion, signifying his royal pleasure, that the Archbishop of St
Andrews should have place, both at his council and all otlier
public meetings, before the chancellor and all other subjects
within tlic kingdom. This letter came down on the 26th
January, and not a little disgusted the nobility, especially Glen-
cairn the chancellor. However they could not help themselves,
nor remonstrate against the sovereign prerogative. Thus was
verified what Lauderdale, about tliree years ago, told Glen-
cairn, that since he and Middleton would have bishops, thej
should have them with a vengeance.

About this time some changes were made among the bishops :
for Mr Alexander Burnet w^as translated from Aberdeen to
Glasgow in the room of Fairfoul deceased ; Mr Scougal suc-
icccded to the bishopric of Aberdeen, and was reckoned one of
the best of that order, and Mr Andrew Honnyman was made
bishop of Orkney in the room of Sidersefe deceased.

On the icth of February a letter was read in council upon
the subject of the act of fines, requiring them to issue a new
])roclamation, commanding such fined persons as should be
charged, in the name of the treasurer, or his' deputy, or the
advocate, before the first of August 1664, to make payment oF
the trrst half of the fines against Martinmas next to come, and
the other half at or before the term of Candlemas following.
As'jo'-tiir'j-lv, next council-dav, being the isth of February, a

pRAP. V. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, 149

proclamation was drawn up, approved, and ordered to be pub-
lished at the cross of Edinburgh, declaring the same to be as
stifficient as if it had been published at all the head burghs of
the kingdom.

Notnathstanding the payment was postponed j5ome time
longer ; for the king sent another letter to the council ; dated
the 26th of July 1664, requiring such as should be charged
betwixt that and the last day of August, to pay their first
ijioiety at or before the 11th of December next, and the second
at or before the 2d of March, and a proclamation was publish-
ed in the terms of the lettei\ What was the reason of this de-
lay is not known, possibly the courtiers were not agreed about
dividing the spoils. But what is delayed is not forgiven ; for
on the 3d of November, the king's letter, dated the nth of
September, with a warrant inclosed, was read in the council,
who issued a proclamation in terms of the inclosed warrant,
commanding all those mentioned in the list specified in the war-
rant, or the heirs and executors of such as were dead, to pay
the respective sums imposed upon them, the one half at or be-
fore Candlemas, and the other at or before Whitsunday 1665,
under the pains and penalties mentioned in the act of parliament.

One would imagine, that they who were thus fined had been
guilty of some very notorious crimes, whereas they were
chargeable with nothing but Avhat the managers themselves and
the whole nation were guilty of, viz. a necessary subjection to
the usurpers. And though it be alleged in the warrant, that
many of the king's subjects suiFered greatly for their loyalty to
the king and his father, yet it is plain, that, had these fines
been distributed among such sufferers, the presbyterian mini-
sters would have had no small share, and many who were
fined must have been exempted. Besides, how could persons
be fined without ever being brought to any trial ? But this was
a period where little justice or equity was to be seen. We
shall afterwards hear with what severity these fines were exacted,
though the west and south of Scotland were already sufficiently
drained by the army.

This was a time of trouble ; the faithful of the land were
borne down like a torrent, and the vilest men were exalted ;
and therefore, in such a time as this, presbyterian ministers,
and others, used frequently to meet together for prayer in pri-
vate houses ; but at the instigation of the bishops and their un-
derlings, who could not bear the prayers of God's people, the
council, upon the 23d of February, made an act, ordering t^ie
magistrates of Edinburgh to cause search be made concerning
the keeping of any private meetings and conventicles, within
the city, by the ministers deprived by the Glasgov/ act, whom
they call late ministers ; and tliat tr.oy acquaint the lord chan-

150 TIIE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI.

cellar with what they discover, and the person's names, that or-
der may be taken about the same.

And as a farther proof of their vigilance this waj-^, upon the
first of March they passed another act, whereby, after narrat-
ing * that they had considered several accusations exhibited

* against Mr William Gordon of Earlstoun, for keeping of pri-

* vate meetings and conventicles, contrary to the laws and acts
' of parliament, with his own judicial confession, that he had
' been at three several conventicles, where Mr Gabriel Seniple,

* a deposed rainistei-, did preach, vi^. one in Corsack wood,
' and the other two ''" the wood of Airds, at all wliicli tliere
' were great numbers of people ; and that he did hear Mr Pvo-
' bert Paton, a deposed ministrr, c:fpcu:;d a text of scripture,
' and perform other acts of v/orship in liis rr.other's house ; aiid
'that Mr Thomas Thomson, another deposed minister, did
' lecture in his own house to his family on a sabbath-day ; and

* that, being required to enact himself to abstain from all such
' meetings in time coming, and to live peaceably and orderly

* conform to law, he refused to do the same. They did ihere-

* fore order the said Mr William Gordon of Earlstoun to be
' banished, and to depart fortli of the kingdom witliin a month

* - — and not return under pain of death, and that he enact him-

* self to live peaceably and orderly during the said month, un-
' der the pain of ten thousand pounds, or otherwise to enter
' his person in prison.'

What times must thc5;e be, when a worthy gentleman had
such an act made against him for hearing presbyterian ministers I

'Some time in the month of March died the learned rnd sin-
gularly pious Mr James Wood late principal of the college of
St Andrews. Sharp thought proper to visit liim once or twice
upon his death-bed, and then industriously spread a report, that
Mr Wood being within the views of eternity, expressed himself
concerning church-government as a matter of indifferency, and
that he was as much for episcopacy as presbytery. Mr W^ood
coming to the knowledge thereof, thought himself bound in
conscience to leave a public testimony against this false and ma-
licious slander. In his testimony, dated the 2d of INIarch 1G64,
he declared, that ' he looked upon th.e presbyterian govern-

* ment as the ordinance of God, appointed by Jesus Christ for

* governing and ordering his visible church ; that he never had

* the least change of thought about the necessity of it, nor of

* the necessity of the use of it j and he declared before God and

* the world, that he still so accounted of it— and that, if he was
f to live, lie would account it his glory to seal this word of his
' testimony witli liis blocd ; and of this his decl?.ration he took
' God, angels and men for his witnesses.' And subscribed the
same in presence of Mr William TulUdafl^ minister of Dumbog,

CHAP. VI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 151

Mr John Carstairs his brother-in-law, and Mr Jolin Pitcairn the
writer.

When this testimony was published the archbishop ^vas so
nettled, that he ordered those who were present to be sunamon-
ed before the high-commission, alleging, and even publicly re-
porting, that the notary told to himself, that, when Mr Wood
was exceeding weak, Mr Carstairs, ha\'ing formed the above
paper, had imposed upon, and got him to subscribe it.

But v/hen Mr TuUidaft' and the notary came before the com-
mission, they both declared that Mr Wood dictated the testi-
mony (of which I have given an exact copy) and that the no-
tary wrote it at his desire, and attested it, as was his office to do.
Thus the primate once more got the lie to his. face. After
these two had continued for some time in prison, the bishq;
was forced to dismiss them without any further punishmcnl,
having shewn his malice, and been proved a spreader of lying
calumnies upon those more righteous than himself.

Mr Carstairs, for some reasons, thought proper to abscond ;
only, that his conduct might not be constructed as the effect of
disloyalty, he wrote a letter to the chancellor, wherein he ex-
cused his not appearing before the commission ; and declared
that none persuaded Mr Wood to emit this testimony, that it
was his own motion, that he dictated every v.^ord of it, and that,
more than once, in conversation, he declared his sentiments, as
to presbyterian government, more fully than in the testimonv
itself ; so that, upon the whole, Mr Wood was vindicated from
the false aspersions of the primate.

The high-commission court should have assembled on tlie
first Wednesday of March ; but it does not appear that they sat
down before the 15th of April, when they entered upon busi-
ness. Though very fev/ instances of the iniquous proceedings
of this dismal court can be given, yet these following are sufii -
cient to shew their unprecedented cruelty and injustice.

Among their first proceedings they ordered Mr Wood's testi-;
mony to be burnt, and some ministers accessary thereunto to be
put in prison, and the v/est-country gentlemen, who refused to
give full conformity to the then church-government, to be fined
in the fourth part of their yearly income. But it is proper to
give the reader some particular instances of the hardships seve-
ral endured.

Mr James Hamilton of Aikenhead, near Glasgow, was sum -
moned before them, though nothing could be alleged against
him, only tKat he did not hear Mr Hay, curate in Cathcart ;
a man most rigorous in exacting his stipend, partici;larly upon
Aikenhead's tenants, which occasioned a squabble between (he
curate and some of them, from whom Mr Blair, the presbyte-
rian minister of the place, protected him, and got him, in ?■ ^ >•

152 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. Vf.

lemn manner, to promise not to delate any of them. But Hay,
contrary to his promise, went to Glasgow and accused them to
the bishop, who immediately ordered Sir James Turner, with a
party of soldiers, to go and apprehend some of them, whereof,
and of the curate's cruelty and prevarication, Aikenhead being
informed, he would never after own him as a minister, especially
as he was never called to that congregation.

When this gentleman was brought before the conimission, lie
was fined in a fourth part of his yearly rent ; and, when he
afterwards was before them, he frankly owned that he neither
did nor would hear that incumbent ; and gave the court such a
distinct account of Hay's conduct, that the archbishop of Glas-
gow promised he should be removed : but the commission ur-
ging this gentleman to engage to submit to and hear his succes-
sor, he told them, he thought it soon enough to engage, when
he had heard him, and knew who he was ; and peremptorily
refused all such previous contracts ; whereupon he was fined in
another fourth part of his yearly rent, and remitted to the arch-
bishop of Glasgow to give him satisfaction as to-his loyal and
peaceable behaviour.

But the bishop, it seems, not being satisfied, he was again
brought before this court, and was charged with keeping up
the session-book of Cathcart, and the utensils of the church,
refusing to assist the minister in session when called, and suffer-
ing some of his family to absent from the church. As to the
first part of his accusation, he offered to declare his innocence
upon oath. But when the Karl of Rolhes required him to tes-
tify his loyalty, by taking the oath appointed by law, upon his
refusing the supremacy in the oath, and to become surety for all
his tenants, that they should attend the ordinances and live re-
gularly, the court fined liim in 3 CO/, sterling, and ordered him
to prison till he paid it, and then to transport himself to the
tovv-n of Inverness, being, above 1 00 miles from his own liouse,
and to remain there under confinement during pleasure. He
paid the half of his fine, and his estate was sequestrated for the
rest, and in three weeks he presented himself to the magistrates
of Inverness, where he continued about a year and a half, till
iiisxonfinement was taken off. He was not long at home till
lie was confined to his own house, and a mile rovmd it, for six
months : and, before that time was elapsed, he was one day
carried in prisoner to the tolbooth of Edinburgh, without any
reason assigned, and remained there nineteen weeks ; at length,
hy the payment of eighty guineas, lie got out.

Another instance ot" tlie wicked severity of this courl, appears
in the case of Mr John Porterfield of Douchall in the shire of
Renfrew. The reason why tliis gentleman v.-as brought before
the commission was his not hearing the curate of Kilmacolm,

CHAP. vr. CHURCH of Scotland. 153

where his house and estate lay. He tokl them that lie could
not hear the curate, because he had abused him with groundless,
base, and injurious reproaches. The court looking upon this
as a sufiicient defence, admitted him to bring in evidences : but
the very tirst witness attesting all, nay, more than what had
been alleged, the court immediately interrupted the examina-
tion, and required Porterfield to take the oath of allegiance ;
whicli he refusing to do, without some salvo as to the clause of
supremacy therein, they immediately fined him in the sum of
500/. sterling, ordered his estate to he sequestrated till payment
should be made, and confined him to the tov^n of Elgin, in the
shire of Moray, where he continued about four years. Reflec-
tions upon this are needless, as here the reader cannot but see
the height of injustice, because the examination of witnesses was
interrupted, a fine was imposed for mere non-conformity, and a
gentleman banished purely for conscience sake.

Their proceedings against the Rev. Mr Alexander Smith,
minister at Cowend, may also be well worth cur notice. His
great crime was preaching privately in his own house, or, in the
^tyle of that time, for keeping of conventicles. When this
worthy person was before them, his examination was in a very
odd manner interrupted ; for in answering several questions pro-
posed to him by archbishop Sharp, he calling him. only Sir, and
not my Lord, the Earl of Rothes asked him if he knew to whonx
be was speaking. Mr Smith replied, Yes, my Lord, I do ; I
speak to Mr James Sharp, once a fellow-ministei- with myself.
This was reckoned such a very high crime, that, without any
further inquiry into the affair of conventicles, Mr Smith was
ordered to be laid in irons, and cast into that nasty place com-
monly called The thieves'' hole^ where he had for his company a
poor furious distracted man. And, to use the words of the au-
thor of the memoirs of the church of Scotland, ' here the godly
minister lay some days in danger of being destroyed by the poor
demented wretcli, who every moment threatened to kill him ; but
God, who stopped the mouths of Daniel's lions, restrained him,
so as he hurt him not.' He continued for some tinie in that dismal
place, until the kindness and respect of the people of Edinburgh
made the bishops ashamed of this unaccountable step. He was
therefore removed to another room in the prison, where, through
cold and other hardships, he fell sick, and was in danger of his
life ; yet such was their cruelty, that he could not get a few
days liberty from prison. The author of the forsaid memoirs
says, that these merciful judges hearing, that, b}^ the grate of
the thieves' hole which looked to the street, he was relieved and
comforted by the charity and compassion of many good people
in the city, they were tlireatcned for relieving him^ ; and at
length lie was carried to a place called The ircr.-houu-^ in tl-e

154 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI.

same prison, where none could come near him. After some
time, bv another senlence, he was banished to one of the isles of
Shetland, where he continned many years in a wretched starving
condition ; for this is the coldest and wildest of all the Scots
islands ; and, as the author just now mentioned adds, hei-e his
only relief, as to this world, was the society of other blessed
sufferers who were banished thither for the same good cause.

The treatment of some of the parishioners of Ancruni is not
to be omitted. When their excellent minister Mr Livingstone
was taken from them, one Mr James Scot, who was under the
sentence of excommunication, was presented to that charge. On
the day fixed for his scttl'.'ment several people did meet together
to oppose it : and particularly a countrywoman, desiring to
speak witli him in order to dissuade him from intruding himself
upon a reclaiming people, pulled him by the cloak, intreating
him to hear her a little ; whereupon he turned and beat her
with his staff. This provoked two or three boys to throw a
few stones, which neither touched him nor any of his company.
However, it was presently looked upon as a treasonable tumult,
and tlierefore the slieriff and justices of the peace in that bounds
fined and imprisoned some of these people, which, one would
think, might atone for a crime of this nature. But the high-
commission, not thinking that sufHcient, ordered those criminals
to be brought before them. Accordingly the four boys and this
woman, with two brothers of hers of the name of Turnbull,
were brought prisoners to Edinburgh. The four boys confess-
ed, that, upon Scot's beating the woman, they liad thrown each
his stone. The commissioner told them that hanging was too
good for them. However, the sentence of this merciless court
only was, that they should be scourged through the city of
Edinburgii, burnt in the face with a hot iron, and then sold as
slaves to Burbad^es. The boys endured their punishment like
men and Christians, to the admiration of multitudes. The two
brothers were banished to Virginia, and the woman was order-
ed to be whipped through the town of Jedburgh. Burnet,
bishop of Glasgow^, when applied to that she might be spared
lest she should be with child, mildly answered. That he would
make them claw the itch out of her shoulders.

Several presbyterian ministers were before tliem, of whom
very imperfect accounts can be given. Mr George Hamilton,
afterwards minister at Edinburgh, and some other ministers of
Fife, were summoned and discharged from administering the
Lord's supper, for the bishops were galled at the vast numbers
that came to partake of that ordinance.

Sir William Cuningham of Cuninghamhcad was before them
when thcv sat at Glasgow ; he was obliged to produce his chap-
wiio begiiinii'.g tq say, * My Lords, 1

CHAP. VI. CHURC^H OF SC3TLAKD. 155

* hope none of you will take it ill that I declare before you

* some things that are pressi^res to my conscience.' Sharp in-
terrupted him, saying, What have v;e to do, Sir, with the pres-
sures of your conscience ? Go to the door presently. And, as
he was removing, he called to him, without ever consulting the
court. Sir, you arc discharged to preach without a licence from
the archbishop of Glasgov/ ; and so he was no more called.

In one of their meetings at Edinburgh they fined Mr Walter
Pringle of Greenknows in some hundred pounds slerling, for no
other reason but because he would not take the oath of alle-
giance without an explication.

I shall conclude this account with the case of Mr Black,
mentioned by the author of the memoirs. This gentleman was
charged by the commission with having been at a private meet-
ing for prayer ; whether any minister was v.'ith tb.em or not
was not alleged, neither had they any thing else to accuse him
of, nor could they prove his being at that meeting, only they
would liave him confess, which he declined. Then they re-
quired he v/ould declare upon oath who was at the said meet-
ing. And because he said this was against his conscience, and
tiiat he would not be an accuser of innocent men, he w^as
sentenced to be scourged through the town, which he chearfully
suffered.

From these few instances of the proceedings of this inquisi-
tion-court, the reader inay form a judgment of their cruelty,
and of tlie sad state of the kingdom under the power of such
oppressors. It is no wonder though the records of their pro-
ceedings are not to be found in the council register for a long-
time. The council ordained letters of horning for the payment
of all fines imposed or to be imposed by tliis judicat\ue. And
about the end of this year. Sharp got the powers of the high-
commission court, termed likewise the commission for church or
ecclesiastical affairs^ enlarged, by which they had authority to
banish, stigmatize, and inflict all kinds of punishment, except
death ; but it is plain they took upon them all these powers be-
fore they received them^

It is now time to give some account of the more remarkable
tilings that occurred during these proceedings of the high-com-
mission.

On the 29th of April, the council published an act forbidding
to give charity, or make any contributions in favour of suffering
ministers and others, v/ho, they pretended, were disaffected to
the government : so that now the poor sufferers vrere not only
discharged to meet together, and pray to God in the time of
their distress, but all subjects were expressly forbid to relieve
them in their extremities. :

loo THE HISTORY OF THE CHAF. VI.

At the same time the Earl of Argyle and the archbishop of
Glasgow ivcre added to the council, and took the oaths and their
places at that board ; and a proclamation was published against
that known and celebrated treatise of the great ornament of
Scotland, Mr George Buchanan, de jure regni apud Scotos^ or-
dering all persons to deliver what copies thej had of the trans-
lation of that treatise to the clerk of the council, under the pe-
nalty of being prosecuted as seditious persons. But whether it
had not been more proper to have ordered an answer to be made
to the solid arguments in that dialogue against tyranny and ar-
bitrary government, must be left with tlie reader.

On the 30th of May, the Earl of Glencairn, lord high-chan-
cellor of Scotland, departed this life. At his death he earnestly
desired to be attended by presbyterian ministers, especially by
Mr Douglas, who was then in Fife • and before Mr Ker could
b? felched from Haddington he was speechless. Several other
of the noblemen and gentlemen, however hard they were upon
the presbytetian minijiters in their life, wanted their fellowship
v.'hen they came to die ; which made the Duke of York once
say, that he believed all Scotsmen, be -what they would in their
life, were presbyterlans at their death. Upon this Sharp, as
bishop Burnet informs us, fearing lest the Earl of Tweeddale
should be advanced to that high post, wrote to Sheldon, arch-
bishop of Canterbury, signifying tliat upon the disposal of the
s';:als the very being of the church did so absolutely depend,
that he begged lie would press the king that he (Sharp) might
be called up before that post should be disposed of. The king
bid Sheldon assure him he should take special care of that mat-
ter, and thit there was no occasion for his coming up. How-
ever, Sharji ventured to go up, and was coldly received. The
king asked liim if he had not received the archbishop's letter.
Sharp said he had ; but he would choose rather to venture on
his majesty's displeasure, than to see the church ruined — and
that so much depended upon the good choice of a chancellor,
that he could not answer it to God and the church, if he did not
bestir himself in that matter : he knew many spake of himself
for that post ; but he war. so far fromi that thought, that if his
majesty had any such intention, he would rather chuse to be
s-ni- to a plantation ; he wished that he might be a churchman
?.r> heart, but not in habit, who should be raised to that trust.
These, says Burnet, were his very words as the king reported
tliem. However, he went from the king to Sheldon, and press-
ed him to move the king for himself. Sheldon did so ; but his
majesty suspectino; Sharp to liave set him on, asked if that was
not the case ; and whcJi Sheldon owned it, the king told him
what Sharp had safd to himself. However Slieldon prayed
tlie kinir, that whatever he thought of the man, he would con-

CHAt*. VI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1 u7

sider the archbishop and the church, which the king assiucd
him he would do. Sheldon told Sharp, that he sav/ the mo-
tion for himself did not take, so he must think of somewhat
else. Sharp then proposed that the seals might be put into
the hands of the Earl of Rothes, till his majesty should pitch
upon a proper person, which was readily complied with.
However, the great seal was, on the 1st of August, put into
the archbishop's hands, till a chancellor should be named, and
about the latter end of the year, Rothes Mas made keeper of
it. His lordship was likewise lord-high-treasurer, general of
the forces by sea and land, and extraordinary lord of the ses-
sion, commander of his majesty's life-guard;;, and principal
collector of the fines. The Archbishop of Glasgow was made
an extraordinary lord of session. But as these things do not
.so immediately concern this history, I shall pass them over ;
for, notwithstanding the alteration of hands, there was little
or no change of measures.

On the 8th of June, the head of the noble Marquis of Ar-
gyle was taken down from the tolbooth early in the morniiig,
and conveyed to his body, and his son continued in favour
rill his appearance for the Protestant religion at the Duke of
York's parliament.

On the 25d of June, the council sent a party of soldiers to
force the parish of Dreghorn to submit to the episcopal mi-
nister thrust in upon them, with pov.er to oblige every one U*
pay twenty-pence for every time he should be absent from the
church *. The same day the council ordered Mr .John Crook-
shank and Mr Michael Bruce, whom they called jjrcle?ided
ministers, to be summoned, at the croFs of Edinburgh and
pier of Eeith, to appear before them on the 27th of July next,
with power to the officers of the afmy to apprehend them.
'J'hese worthy ministers were come from Ireland, and all their
crime was preaching the gosjiel. This was tl:c first tinie the
council used the phnise, preie/ideil ministers. It does not a})a-
pear that cither of them answered the summons, or v/ere ap-
prehended. We shall aftej-wards hear more of them.

On the 24 th of July that useful, faithful, and zealous servant
of Christ, Mr William Guthrie, minister at Fenwick, v.as
ejected. He wrote that excellent little treatise, known by the
name of The trial oj' a saving interest in Christ. I liis v,ort!)V
person, by the interest of several noblemen, had been some- ,
time overlooked, notwithstanding his plainness and liiithriii-
Jiess in bearing testimony for Christ at tluit lime.

* The method of draj^ooning people to church wis no Ic^s inikn-^w" to tht;
R-ots, than disaj^recahle to the 'pir'.t o!' Cliiist'an iy. ur.ril S!-rp zn.l :! c u.Ltc
prelates introduft*-! it.

156 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI.

But when r»iirn(t was made Archbishop of Glasgow, Mr
Guthrie and the few remainintjj ministers about him were at-
tacked ; as Mr Livingstone at Bii^gar, Mr Mackail at Both-
well, Mr Gabriel Maxwell at Dundonald, Mr Gabriel Cuning-
ham at Dunlop, Mr A. Hutchison and Mr William Castlelaw
at Stewartoun.

No intercession could prevail with the bishop to spare Mr
Guthrie. The Earl of Glencairn, in particular, is said to
have spoken to the bishop in his behalf, ajul received a short
answer, which made his lordship say, We have set up these
men, and they will trample upon us. Mr Guthrie, finding
that he must part with his beloved people, appointed Wed-
nesday the 2'''th of July to be observed by them as a day of
solemn fasting and prayer. He preached from Hos. xiii. 9.
O Israel, thou hast destrvj/ed thyself ; from which he faithfully
laid before them, theirs and the land's sins ; and indeed the
place was a Bochim. The Lord's day following being fixed
for his ejectment, he intimated that sermon would begin that
morning betwixt four and five, and then he preached twice to
them from the close of his last text, In vie is thy help^ and dis-
missed the }>eople before nine. The reader may easily con-
jecture what a sorrowful parting this was But though they
would have been ready to sacrifice their all for his sake, he
would not permit them to use the least violence.

The archbisho]-) of Glasgow, after dealing with several of
his curates to intimate his sentence against Mr Guthrie, at
last }>revailed u[)on the curate of Caldcr, by the promise, as
was said, of five pounds sterling, to perform this service. Ac-
corduigJy on the day appointed, he came with a party of 12
soldiers to Fenwick church, and by connnission from the arch-
bishop, discharged Mr Guthrie to preach any more there,
and declared the church vacant. The holy good man be-
haved, on this occasion, like himself, and treated the soldiers
■with the utmost civility : but when the curate went to the
church to intimate the bishop's sentence from the pulpit, none
came to hear him except the party he brought with hijn -, a
few children, who created him sonic uneasiness, were driven
out by the soldiers.

It was reported that Mr Guthrie, at parting, told the curate
he foresaw some evident murk of the Lord's displeasure against
l)im, and exhorted him to prepare for some sudden stroke.
Be tiuit as it will, this curate never preached after he left Fen-
wick -, for in a few days he died, in great torment, of an iliac
passion, or of a violent and dangerous kind of cholic, liiswife
and children died in about a year after, and none belonging
to hiui were left. Thus by the malice of the prelates, this
bri"-ht and shining light of the west of Scotland was extin.-

O DO

CHAP. VI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 159

tiiished, and he entered into his master's joy on the 10th of
October next year.

This excellent person had been much afflicted witii the
gravel during his lite, which obliged him, conti-ary to his in-
clination, to use some diversion. The last time he was with
his cousin Mr James Guthrie, he happened to be melancholy,
which made Mr James say, A penny for your thought, cousin.
Mr William answered, There is a poor man at the door,
give him the penny ; which being done, he proceeded and
said, * I'll tell you, cousin, what 1 am not only thinking upon,

* but am sure of, if I be not under a delusion ; and it is this,

* that the malignants will be your death, and this gravel will

* be mine ; but you will have the advantage of me, for you

* will die honourably before many witnesses, with a rope about

* your neck, and I will die whining upon a pickle straw, and

* will endure more pain befoi'e I rise from your table, than all

* the pain you will have in your death.' A certain minister
observed, that this holy man died a sufferer, for he was de-
posed by the bishop, but in hope that one day the Lord would
deliver Scotland from her tliraldom.

Such was the inveteracy of the managers, tliat on the 9th
of August, the council made an act against selling or printing
of the speech which Lord Waristoun delivered at his execu-
tion, though there was ni it nothing either treasonable or se- •
ditious. Sir Robert Murray of Cameron was by this act em-
powered to examine all booksellers and others, in order to find
out how the said speech came to be printed, and to commit
them to prison, as he should see cause : if any was prosecutetl
upon this act is not known, but this is certain, the bishops
continued to persecute the ministers.

Thus on the 10th of Octobei', the Bishop of Dunkeld de-
posed Mr Andrew Donaldson, minister at Dalgety, to which
he had been admitted in the year 1644'. By the interest of
Charles Earl of Dunfermhne he was favoured beyond many
of his brethren ; and therefore could not well escape the ma-
lice of the prelates at this time. Accordingly, when the earl
was called up to London, the primate pushed the Bishop of
Dunkeld, in whose diocese Dalgety was, to deprive him. Tho
bishop therefore wrote to him to attend the presbyteries ur.der
pain of suspension ; which Mr Donaldson disregartl^d, and
continued at his work till tlie diocesan meeting in October,
when the bishop deposed him, and gave him notice of it in a
letter, which Mr Wodrow has inserted at large; and that
they might play sure game, Sharp procured a party to be sent
to eject him, who came to the church on a Lord's day, whe^i
the people t^-cre asifnnbled to heiw lilni ; boMov^f ff>r prpvcMit-

160 THE IIISTOK."!' OF THE CHAP. Vf,

ing disturbance Mr Donaldson got leave to preach that day
also, upon promising aitcrwards to withdraw.

But when the Earl of Dunfermline got notice of these pro-
ceedings, he got a warrant from the king restoring Mr Do-
naldson to Dalgety during his Hfe, which his lordship brought
down and shewed to the primate. The archbishop, knowing
well how to dissemble, professed a great regard for the carl,
and said, the king must be obeyed ; but craved as a favour
that the earl would do nothing for three weeks in it, till he
considered how to provide for a young man that was just set-
tled in the parish, which his lordship yielded to. Mean while
Sharp, by his interest at court in the earl's absence, procured
a warrant under the king's hand, and got it down by express,
before the three weeks were expired, discharging all ejected
ministers from returning to their charges ; and thus the mitre
tricked the coronet, for though his lordship was vexed, yet he
was obliged to submit.

On the .Sd of November, William Dobbie, a weaver, who
had been for some time under confinement, was set at liberty.
And the same day the Rev. Mr Thomas Wylie, formerly
mentioned, presented a petition to the council, that they
would be pleased, on account of the bad state of his health, to
permit him to reside with his family in any place of Lothian,
being 50 miles from his former charge. With this the coun-
cil thouglit proper to comply upon his giving a new bond for
his peaceable behaviour.

The same day, Sir John Nisbet's patent to be king's advo-
cate was read and recorded in council ; the former advocate.
Sir John Fletcher, having been accused of bribery, partiality,
and other pieces of mismanagement, and not being able to
ac(|uit himself sufficiently, was obliged to resign.

On the 17th of November, the council issued a proclama-
tion, ordering all ministers, who had been ejected since 1661,
to retire from Edinbingh within forty-eight hours •, and not
lo reside either tlierc, or in any other place prohibited by act
of council 1663, without a proper licence, under the penalty
of being imprisoned, and otherwise punished as seditious jjcr-
sons. Such were the restraints now laid upon ministers, that
tliey were forbid tc\jjray to God, or get relief Irom men, or to
inspect the education of their children at schools, unless they
would so far own the prelates, as to get a warrant from them.
i^o})ish priests and j)rolesscd papi.;ts were entirely at liberty,
while some of the king's best subjects durst not reside in Edin-
burgh, or any royal burgh, tor no crime but because they ad-
hered to their })rinciples against prelacy.

1 he peojile of the presbyterian persuasion were every where
harassed, and the mcihmii mentioned iu the last chapter were

a

CHAP. VI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 161

continued. Every day the soldiers grew more and more in-
solent at the churclies where any old presbyterian ministers
vci. tared to continue. And through the west and south of
Seothind nni'titudes of families were dispersed, the soldiers
acting much in the same manner there, as the French drag'jons
did some years after among the protestants of that kii!g;iom.
Sir James Turner acted a very severe part wherever he went,
though I am not able to give particulars.

On the ISth of December, the council made an act against
]Mr John Spreul, Ifjte town-clerk of Glasgow, for refusing to
take the oatli of allegiance and supremacy, ordering him to
oblige himself, under the pain of death, to depart out of the
kingdom by the first of February next, and not to return
without licence.

The same day the council granted a licence to the Rev. Mr
Alexander Moncrief to come to Edinburgh, and to continue
there til! the 2-tth instant about his necessary affairs ; for such
were the times, that, let a minister's affairs be ever so urgent,
he durst not go to any royal burgh without licence.

After this good man had suffered much from one of the
heritors of his parish, as is related in The Fulfilling of the
Scriptures, though his name be not mentioned, and had been
dischai-ged from his parish, &c. people began to resort to him,
and hear him preach in his own family ; wherefore he was
obliged to remove from his house, and required to live 20
miles from his charge, and 7 or H miles from a bishop's seat,
or royal burgh ; and after that was constrained to retire to u
remote place in the Highlands, where he was in a surprising-
manner supported, and was singularly useful in the conversion
of many.

At length he came with his family to Edinburgh, where he
preached for several years in private. After he was inter-
commimed, in the year 1G7.3, his house and many other places
about the city were searched for him, but he was wonderfully
kept out of their hands. He was much solicited, when in
these hazardous circumstances, to leave the kingdom, and had
an amjjle call to Londonderry in Ireland •, but he always de-
clined to leave his native country ; and, in his pleasant way,
used to say, That he would suffer where he had sinned, and
essay to keep possessitm of his Master's house till he should
come again. He left many seals of his ministry, being a most
faithful and laborious minister. He was mighty in prayer,
and had many remarkable returns. He lived-till harvest 1688,
and so he may be said to have kept possession of his Master's
house till he came again.

The year 16G.5 does not afford so many instances of cruelty
as the former years. The Earl of Rothes, who was loaded

vol., 1. Ti

162 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI.

Avith places of trust and power, and was the chief manager in
Scotland, under the direction of Lauderdale, was scarcely ever
so severe as when in the high-commission court, where he did
not act like himself.

The first general calamity that befel the nation this year
was the war with the Dutch, whioh the king entered into iu
the winter. It docs not lie so immediately before me to speak
of the rise of this war. It is by this time pretty well known
that his majesty was much under the influence of Lewis XIV.
the young King of Fiance, and that it was in concert with him
that this war was undertaken. The declaration was dated the
22d of February, but was not published till the 2d of March ;
and on the 5d of May a proclamation was issued, appointing
the 7th day of June to be observed as a public fast, which was
complied with by all the presbytcrian ministers who as j^et
kept their churches. Mr .lames Fergusson, minister at Kil-
winning, when intimating this fast to his people, gave a par-
ticular account of the crying sins of the time as the causes of
the threatened judgments, which he reduced to this one ge-
neral, the contempt of the gospel, which was discovered by
tlie rough handling of the messengers of Christ, the laying
many congregations desolate, contempt of the Sabbath anil
ordinances, and all kinds of profaneness.

Much about the same time the pestilence broke out in Eng-
land, which increased in the city and suburbs of London, till
eight or ten thousand died in a week. It was observed, in
several papers written at this time, that the appearance of a
globe of fire was seen above that part of the city wiiere the
.solemn league and covenant was burnt. Whether that be
true or not, it is certain the plague broke out there, and very
lew were left alive in the street where that open affront had
been put upon the oath of God.

It may, perhaps, be thought trifling to observe, with my
author, that several remarkable signs did precede and accom-
pany the pestilence, such as tiie appearance of a large comet
in the end of the last year, and of another in the nionth of
March this year, together with such a violent frost and snow,
that there was no plowing from December till the middle ol~
March. How far these things were the prognostics of severe
judgments, I shall leave to the reader's own consideration-

The raging of the pestilence in England, the Dutch war,
and some other occurrences, a little abated the fury of the
managers in Scotland, so that some small fiivours were granted
to -Presbyterian ministers and gentlemen, and the prelates be-
gan to be jealous of sonic of the noblemen as not hearty
enough in the interests of the church. Thus, on the third of
May, Walter Pringle of Greenknowsj who IukI been confined

CHAP. Vr. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 163

in the jail of El^in, liad liis confinement enlarged, by obtain-
ing the liberty of the whole town, and a mile round it, during
the council's pleasure ; and Mr John Smith minister was per-
mitted to come to Edinburgh for the advice of physicians.

But there happened a little disturbance in the West kirk of
Edinburgh, between the parishioners and Mr Williani Gordon
their curate ; some of them were put in the thieves' hole, and
a man and a woman were scourged through the city ; and
about this time several in Dumfries were imprisoned for not
hearing the curates and submitting to prelacy.

Nothing could alter the cruel disposition of the bishops ;
and Sharp pretending that the fanatics, a name of reproach
now given to the presbytcrians, would rise and join the Dutch
against the king, orders were given for disarming the west
and south of Scotland. The violent seizure of their arms,
which ensued, was a very great loss to the country. But it
does not appear that joining the Dutch was so much as thought
of by them ; howbeit, the prelates judged themselves more
secure, and at greater liberty to do what they pleased.

The Duke of York sailed with the English fleet in May,
and, before the Dutch could be ready, alarmed the coasts of
Holland. In the beginning of June the two fleets engaged,
and the Dutch were overthrown by the English. The duke,
seeing it was in vain to continue his pursuit, returned to the
coasts of England, and after he landed repaired to Whitehall
to receive the acclamations of the court and city of London.

On the 20th of June, the council at Edinburgh published
the king's proclamation for a thanksgiving to be observed on
the 13th of Jul}', recommending it to the bishops to order the
ministers to read the same from their respective pulpits.

The same day Mr John Stirhng minister wa3 permitted to
come to Edinburgh about his necessary aflai)-s, and afterwards
allowed to continue there for his health till the 1st of Septem-
ber. And on the 6tli of July, Mr John Cameron who had
been confined to Lochaber since the year 1662, had his con-
finement changed to the city of Glasgow, and two miles round.

About this time INIrs Trail, wife of the Rev. Mr Robert

Trail, formerly banished, and who was now in Elolland, was

imprisoned for sending and receiving letters from her hus-

' band, though they contained nothing but what related to their

family affairs.

On the 2d of August, a convention of estates met at Edin-
burgh, in order to raise money for his majesty to support him
in his war against the Dutch. Sharp was chosen prcscs •, for
it seems this was for the honour of the clnirch, th.at a bi>liop
should be at tlie head of die convention.

16* THE HISTOUV OF THE CHAP. V?,

It may be tliought that by this time cp:i>copacy was esta-
blished in Scothmd upon as sure foundations as luunan laws
could go ; but care must bo talcen to perj^etuate this to futu-
rity Accordingly, this sunmier an order was made, appoint-
ing that no academical degi-ees be conferred upon any wlio
would not take the oath of allegiance and supremacy ; so that
a great many of the most deserving youths of the nation were
excluded from their degrees, and the rising genei'ation became
gradually disposed to take any the most dubious and self con-
tradictory oaths that were imposed upon them.

It was a great eye-sore to the bishops that some of the
ejected ministers continued to preach openly, especially in the
ihirc of Galloway : wherefore that country was grievously
oppressed by Sir James Turner and the soldiers under hk
command at their instigation, and several in the parish of
Stewartoun in Ayrshire were fined and others imprisoned,
for hearing a presbytcrian minister. Bishop Burnet says, that
the whole face of the government looked liker the proceedings
of an inquisition, than of legal courts, and yet Sharp was
never satisfied ; so Lord Rothes and he went up to court the
first year of the Dutch war. When they waited first on tlK'"
king, Sharp put him in mind of what he had said at his last
parting, that, if matters went not well, none was to blame but
either Lauderdale or Rothes ; and now he came to tell his
majesty, that matters were worse than ever ; and he must do
the Earl of Rothes the justice to say, that he had done his
part. This exasperated Lauderdale, who, when Rothes ami
Sharp withdrew, told the king, he was now accused to his face,
but he would quickly let him sec what a man Sharp was.
Accordingly, he followed the archbishop home, and told him,
it was the king's pleasure that he should put the accusation
with which he had charged him in writing, and that he must
cither go through with it, else he would charge him with
leasing-making. All this Lauderdale delivered in such a tone,
that the upright prelate fell a trembling and weeping. He
protested he meant no harm to him -, only was sorry that his
friends, upon all occasions, were pleading for fovour to the fa-
natics. Lauderdale told him, that would not do -, lie was not
answerable for his friends, except when they acted by direc-
tions from him. In short, Lauderdale cairied Sharp to the
king, where he retracted eveiy thing he hiul said in so gross a
manner, that the king said afterwards, that Lord Lauderdale
was ill-natured to press it so heavily, and force Sharp to give
liim.sclf the lie in such coarse terms.

The high-commission court was now upon the decline ; antl
though many were sunmioned before them, yet few obeyed the
mammons;. However, some were obliged to appear, particu-

CRAP. vr. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 165

krly Mr Hugh Peebles, minister at Lochwinnoch, in the shire
<vf Renfrew, for preaching one Sabbath-night in his own house,
to some people who came to hear him When this worthy
person came before them, he used as much freedom as might
have provoked them to banish him, had not this inquisition-
court been on the decline. He told them he did not know
what to make of their court ; he could reckon it scarce either
civil or ecclesiastic ; yet, since his majesty's commissioner had
commanded him, and self defence was juris jiatwalis, he had
appeared innocently to defend himself^ and to give account of
plain matter of fact. He told them, that ever since he was a
minister, he had exercised in his family on Sabbath-evenings,
and the people who lived near him generally came to hear
him. He alleged that the law did not militate at all against
this, if the reason of the law be considered. The reason of
their law behoved to be either to prevent people's leaving the
public worship, which could have no place in this case, or to
prevent people's being alienated from the minister of the con-
gregation, which could have no room either, since there was
no minister settled Avhere he lived ; and since his preaching
to his neiglibouis, whom he could not exclude from his house,
did not thwart with tlie reiison of the law, it could not be said
to thwart with the law itself But all he could say had no
effect, the Archbishop of Glasgow was resolved to be rid of
him ; and accordingly he was ordered to leave the west coim-
try, and confine himself to the town of Fortar, near 100 miles
from where he then lived and had his estate.

When the high-commission did not answer the persecuting
designs of the prelates, other measures were fallen upon. Acr
cordingly the i)relates gave in groundless suggestions and in-
nuendoes against many excellent gentlemen, especially in the
west, to such who found means to procure an order from the
king to imprison them.

Bishop i3urnet .says, ' That his namesake, the Archbishop
of Glasgow, was sent up ti) prepossess the king with the ap-
prehensions of a rebellion in the beginning of the Dutch war.
He proposed that about twenty of the chief gentlemen of those
counties might be secured, and undertook for the peace of
the country if they were clapped up. The Earls of Argyle,
Tweeddale, and Kincardine were cold in all these things.'
However, about the beginning of September the following
gentlemen, without the least previous notice, were appre-
hended by a wi-itten order from the commissioner, viz Major-
general Robert Montgomery, brother to the Earl of Eglin-
toun, Sir William Cuningham of Cuninghamhead, Sir George
Maxwell of Nether-Pollok, Sir Hugh Campbell of Cesnock,
Sir William Muir of Rowal'an, Major-general Holburn of

l0(5 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI.

Menstric, Sir George Monro, Colonel Robert Hulkct, bro-
ther to Sir James Halket of Pitfirren, Sir James Stewart late
Provost of Edinburgh, Sir John Chiesly of CarswcU, James
Dunlop of that ilk, and William Ralston of that ilk. Sir
Patrick Hume of Polwart, and others, were also i-:riprisoned
about this time. These excellent persons, when brought to
Edinburgh, were, ■without any accusation or reason given, in
a most arbitrary manner, imprisoned in the castles of Edin-
burgh, Stirling, and Dumbarton, and other places, where se-
veral of them lay for many years. This could not but increase
the peoples' hatred of the prelates.

On the 3d of October the council appointed the Marquis
of Huntly to be educated in the family of Archbishop Sharp.
We shall afterwards find that this nobk'man was created Duke
of Gordon, and lived in the profession of popery; so that it
would seem the primate took but little care of his education ;
he had something else to mind than such a trifle as this.

On the same day the council issued a proclamation, order-
ing all persons who had not paid their fines, according to the
;Ht of parliament, to pay, them in the manner follov.ing, viz.
They that live on the south of the water of Esk, to pay their
first moiety by lh(^ first of December, and tliosc on the north
side by the first of February, under the penalties iricntioned
in tlie act. It was al>o published, that all who would take the
oath of allegiance, and subscribe tlie declaration, should be re-
mitted the second moict}'. There were some other regula-
tions made on the 'A?.(.\ of November, but none were to have
anv part of their fines remitted, unless they complied with the
terms just now mentioned, which no presbyterian could con-
sistently do •, and as there were but low tliat paid the first
moiety, Sir James Turner was sent with the army to levy tlic
same by military force, which produced dismal effects, as we
shall hear.

On the lltli of October, archbishop Burnet, at the dio-
cesan meeting at Glasgow, got a sentence of tiejiosition passetl
against the Rev. Mr Robert ISlaxwell, minister at Monklon, in
tl;e presbytery of Ayr, because he refused to submit to the
bishoj^, and baptized and married several who could not in
conscience favour the curates. He was one of the old mi-
nisters, who had been setlletl before 164-9, and having been a
grave, pious and useful preacher in that place, for almost 25
years, had justly acquired the hearty affections of his people.
But there v.as no continuing among them when the sentences
of this peiiod were executed by an armed force. His sen-
tence was intimated to him on Saturday 18ih of February-,
Tiext dav he preached his farewell- sermon from Eccles. v. -t.

CHAP. VI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. l67

and had a very moving discourse at his sorrowful parting with
his beloved people.

By this time, many of the old ministers, who had seen the
church of Scotland in her glory, were got to their rest, several
of whom died in peace, and in the solid hopes of a glorious
deliverance to this church. Others of them were harrassed
by the prelates ; for, in October, Mr Matthew Ramsay, mini-
ster at Kiipatrick wester, in the presbytery of Dumbarton, a
person of a most amiable character, was deposed by the bi-
shop in the synod of Glasgow, merely for not attending on
the diocesan synods and presbyteries. For the same cause
Mr Robert Mitchel, minister at Luss, was suspended, in
order to be deposed next year; and, on the 14th of that
month, George Porterfield and John Graham, late provosts
of Glasgow, who had retired to Holland, were summoned to
appear before the council, and upon their not appearing they
were declared rebels and fugitives.

In the beginning of November, Rothes the commissioner
made a tour v.ith a splendid retinue to the west, and return-
ed to Edinburgh about the end of the month, when some
mofe severe acts v/ere made against presbyterian ministers,
as had bsen the consequence of Middleton's circuit some years
before.

Accordingly, on the 7th of December, they made an act
against all the prcsbyterian ministers, extending even to those
who had been settled before the year 1G4-9, who had relin-
quished their ministry, or been deposed by their ordhiary, and
all such as should hereafter relinquish their ministry, or be
deposed by their ordinaiy, commanding them to remo.ve,
with their families, twenty miles from their respective pa-
rishes, six miles from Edinburgh, or any cathedral church,
and three miles from any royal burgh, and not two of them
to reside together in any one parish ; and all hei'itors and
others were forbid to give them any countenance in their
preaching or in any part of their ministerial office.

The same duy a proclamation was ordered to be published
and printed against conventicles, forbidding all meetings for
worship, except those authorised by law ; and declaring that
all found at such meetings should be 1 . )kcd upon as seditious
persons, and be punished by lining, confining, and other cor-
poral punishments, as the council, or any havinghis majestv'-^
commission, should think fit ; and farther declaring, that all
ministers that shall perform any part of the ministerial oilie.'
at such meetings, and all who shall encourage them, shall be
liable to the highest pains to be inflicted on salitious persons ;
and ordering nil shcriiisj stewards, niagijtratcsj and other o!'-

168 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. \I.

ficers, to search for such meetings, and apprehend every person
■u'ho shall be found at them

In the preamble to this proclamation these conventicles arc
said to be the ordinary seminariesof separation and rebellion,
and in thcmseives reproachful to the king's government,
ecclesiastical and civil. That they were separated from the
prelates and their curates is certain ; but the reader is to
judge whether these had not separated from the reformation
of the church of Scotland, and given just ground to ministers
and people to withdraw from tlicm ; and whether it was not
the greatest reproach to the king's government to overturn
that very reformation, which his majesty and the most of the
managers, the primate himself not excepted, had so solemnly
sworn to maintain.

The same day an act passed in favour of the curates, where-
in it was declared, ' That his majesty, with advice of his

* council, by virtue of his supremacy, allo\\s the bishops to

* depute such of their curates as they judge qualified to con-

* vene for exercise, and to assist in discipline, as the bishops
' shall direct them. But the whole power of ecclesiastical

* censure is reserved to the bishop, except the parochial re-

* bukes, and he only must suspend, deprive, or excommuni-

* cate.' This was the form of the prelatical presbyteries, all
flowing from the supremacy. They would not call it by the
name of a presbytery, and in so far they were right •, for
the members of it were the creatures and the tools of the bi-
fcliops, as these were of the king. Hoa' unlike were these to
the regular presbyteries that were formerly in this church !
Might it not now be said, IIcw is the gold become dim .' Hoiv
is the most fine gold changed !

The same day the council granted a commission for dis-
cipline, and authorised ministers in each congregation to
chuse proper ))ersons for that end : of which more in the next
chapter. And, at the same sederunt, taking into considera-
tion, that there Mere several 'prisoners in the tolbooth of
Edinburgh, who were willing to be transported to Barbadocs,
tliey ordered the magistrates to deliver them up to George
Hutchcson, merchant, for transportation. These were the
remains of those who had been imprisoned by the high-com-
mission court ; and considering tlic hardships they under-
went, it was no wonder though tlicy preferred transi-)o;iation
to such a confinement. The next chapter will open a moi-q
melancholy scene than any that has yet appeared.

tllAP. VN. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. lG9

C II A P. VII.

Of the (jccurrences precediiig the Rising at Peniland, of the
Rising iiself the Executions., and other consequences of ity
together ivii'h several others Transactions during the year
16G6.

"V^rE have seen what cruel and unjust oppressions the
' ' presbyterians endured during the five preceding
years J liow their liberties, both religious and civil, were
taken away, their ministers scattered? banished, or imprison-
ed, and the people exposed to the merciless ravages of tiio
army, and all this for maintaining their religious principles ;
and yet they bore all with surprising patience, hoping that
providence would interpose for their relief: and, therefore,
as one justly observes, if tlie poor people, by those insup-
portable violences were made desperate, who can justly re-
flect upon them, when oppression makes a "wise man mad ?
But the measures pursued this year were such, as if there
had been a formed design to force the people into violent
measures.

We have heard how th.e council granted a commission for
discipline, in which the established ministers ,\vere to mako
choice of proper persons to assist them in the exercise of dis-
cipline ; in '^ase of refusal or delay to acquaint the bishop -,
upon his order to summon them before the brethren of the
exercise ; and, upon their not appearing, or persisting in their
refusal, to, transmit their names to the council, in order to
their being prosecuted according to their demerit, and as the
case required. They well knew that no real presbyterians
would so far abandon their principles as to incorporate them-
selves with the pj-elatcs •, because that would have been a for-
mal acknowledgiuent of the Inei'archy, which they justly looked
upon as contrary to the word of dod. And sc this was ano-
tiier designed occasion of suffering to many, who chose that
rather than sinning.

It was common, in this period, first to punish for what
they reckoned criminal, and then to make laws against what
they had already condemned. Accordingly, even before this
commission for disciplina was granted, in the year 1664,
several suffered for not assisting the epi-^copal incumbent, as
John Crosbie in Eastercoats in the parish of Cambuslang,
who was harrassed from place to place. Robert Hamilton in
Spitta!, in the same parish, was tliis year prosecuted on the
same account \ William Alexander, and William Baird, in
jDrips of Carmunncck, were fined in lOOl. each ; Jasper

170 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

Toucli in the parish of Kihiiarnock, and Andrew Taylor
joiner and carpenter th -, sneered on the same account •, nay,
it was for I'efusing coiUfwiance with this order, among other
things, that the laiid of A'kcnhead, with some other gentle-
men, were confmed to Inverness, Elgin of Moray, and other
places at a vast distance fro::i their own homes. But it is re-
markable, that Mr John Paterson, bishop of Ross, wrote to
Ills son, desiring him to accjiiaint Sharp, that the west-country
gentleman confined in Elgin, &c. had done more mischief by
coming north, than they could have done in their own houses,
and begging that tlicy might be recalled, that so they might
not spread their infection farther. — So that the sufferings of
the persecuted turned to the real prejudice of the cause of
prelacy.

As the council's commission for discipline, so the other pro-
clamations emitted with it, brought great distress upon the
ejected ministers. Accordingly, on the 2,}th of January, the
council directed letters for apprehending and prosecuting the
following ministers, viz Messrs John Welsh late at Iron-
gray, for preaching every week in the said parish and other
})laces, and baptizing several children ; Gabriel Sempill late
at Kirkpatrick in the Muir, for the like grievous crimes, and
for riding through the country in disguise with sword and
pistols ; John Biackader late at Tratiuair, Robert Archbald,
late at Dunscoir, and Alexander Peden,ail for preacliing and
baptizing; John Crookshank for holding conventicles and
keeping by him liuchanan de jiuc regtii ajmdScotos, and trans-
lating the same into English ; Samuel Ai-not late at Kirk-
patrick-Durliam, John Douglas, William Reid, nnd John
Wilkie, with John Osburn in Keir, who j)resumed to act as
an officer, in giving notice to the people of w hat they called
iinlavyful mcdhigs. Tlicugh all these were disaffected to pre-
l;icy, yet none of them, as vvas falsely alleged in the general
charge, had either preached or declared against the king's
authority.

On tlie 1st of February the council gave orders that the ex-
communicated Quakers should be prosecuted according to act
of parliament, and that the laws against the Papists should be
j>ut in execution ; but it is well known that Quakers and Pa-
pists still increased. The bishops v.'ereonly in earnest to bear
down Presbyterians.

Accordingly, on the Sth of February, a proclamation was
pi>blished against a book intitled, Jhi apolugeiical relation of
the ■particular siijfcri)ig?, of thcjaithjul ministers and professors
of the church of Scotland since Angust 1660. Tnis book,
which was conii)osed in IIoHand by the Rev. Mr John Brown,
formerly banished, was ordered to be burnt by the hands of

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 171

the hangman, in the High Street of Edinburgh, on the Hth
of February, and all persons who had copies of it were com-
manded to deliver them to the shcriiTs of their respective
shires, or else be Hablc to the payment of 20001. ycotsmoney.
Nevertheless this mcliiod did not answer their {purpose ; for
the people were the inore eager in seeking after prohibited
books. But such was the pojMsh and prelatic way of dealing
v»ith books which they were not able to answer. How vile
it was to prosecute any for having that book before the pro-
clamation was exhibited against it, must be left with the reader j
yet, on the same 8th of February, the widow of tlie Rev. Mr
James Guthrie, and her daughter Sophia Guthrie, wcio
brought before the council, for no other reason but for hav-
ing the said book, in which Mr Guthrie is fully vindicated j
and, upon their refusing to discover the author or from whom
they had it, they were ordered to be sent to Zetland, where
they were to be confined during pleasure, and-to be kept })ri-
soners till they should be sent thilhcr. But, next council-day,
the members, being sensible of the harshness of this sente:ice,
upon a petition from these gentlewomen, referred the mutter
to the commibsioner.

The ejected ministers, as yet, for the most part, preached
only to their own families, and to a few neighbours, who now
and then stole into their houses ; so that, unless in a few
places in the south, there were but few sermons jireached in
the fields. Ilov.evcr, the oppressions of the people were on
the growing hand ; and I\lv Burnet, arclibishop of Glasgow,
being now a member of the privy-council, had no small sharo
in the west-couRitry persecution. He was a mighty bigot for
episcopacy, and ordained five or six of his curates publicly
after the English pontifical, the better to inure the west of
Scotland to these novelties. He likewise grievously oppres-
sed the city of Glasgow, so that some of the greatest episco-
palians protested against his incroachments uj)on the magis-
trates of that city. He turned out several Presbyterian mi-
nisters, who had been connived at before his accession, such
as Mr Vv'iiliam Hamilton, minister at Glasford, and others ;
and his underlings were very assisting to him in his cruellies
and oppressions.

The historian Burnet says, that many of the episcopal
clergy of Scotland were much offended at the proceedings oi'
those times, and that he himself observed the deportment cf
the bishops was, in all points, so diifei-ent from what became
their function, that lie had a more than ordinary zeal kindled
within him upon it. They were not only furious against all
that stood out against them, but were very remiss in all tlio
parts of their function, — Wiicrcupoii he took a resolution oi"

172 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. MI,

drir.v'ing np a memorial of the grievances he and the other
clergy liiy under by the ill coiuliict of the bishops — of this he
Avrote out some C(>piesy and sent them to all the bisliopsof his
acqnaintaace. — Whereupon he was called before the bishops,
and tirated wilh great severity ; for Sharp proposed that he
should be summarily deposed and excommunicated, but none
of the rest would agree to that. — Let the reader judge wlic-
thcr matters were not bad, when a bishop gives such an ac-
co'vint.

In the spring, Sir Tames Turner marched with his soldiers
to the Presbyterians in the west, and laid them under the
jnost grievous oppressions •, and any curate, with two or three
of these armed apostles, fined whom they pleased, and made
as large exactions as they had a mind j for now the gentle-
;Tian n}U!«t pay, if his lady, servants, or tenants did not attend
at the parish church ; the tenant must be oppressed if his
jandlorc! withdrew, though he and his family attended ever so
closely. Tiic widow, the fatherless, the old and infirm were
r,ot spared, the vei-y poor must beg to pay the church-fines.
The nx'at was snatched from the mouths of innocent children,
;;nd thrown to the <.I(>gs ; many houses were quartercc} upon,
and V. lien their provision was consumed, the furniture was
cither sold or binnt, so that multitudes of poor families were
scattered and rechiccd to the utmost extremities. Who (hen
can be surprised, though the biihops, who were formerly
h-citcd foi- their jHrJury and immorality, were now the aver-
sion of tlie pcf^ple ibr their cruelty ? for all this was by their
instigati(;n. 1 must refer the reader to Mr ^^^jdi'ovv's ap-
pen(iix, and to the account given in Kaphtah, where he will
find wha.t })rodigious sums were extorted from the south of
Scotland, and what unheard-of cruelties were exercised to-
\vards the poor people. In a few^ weeks the curates and sol-
diers levied about .50,0001. Scots from the two shires of Gal-
loway and Dumfries.

The parliameniary fines, of which we have spoken, were
rxactcd with rigour this year j qnd, in order to thi.s, the
troopers of the king's guards were ordered to different })arts
of the conntr3% with a list of those from whom they v.'cre to
'^Nact such and such sums, and to take free quarters till the}'
liad paid (he utmost farthing. Then th.ey n)ust go to Edin-
burg!), i-eport their discharge, and satisfy the troopers besides.
This was called riding-mciiPTf^ and sometimes the riding-
money was as much as the fine itself to tlie common sort of
]>eople. No excuse was su.staincd, but taking the oath of
allegiance and subscribing the declaration ; and they' who
could nci(hcr cnlertain the troopers r.or pay their fines, were

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 173

immediately dragged to prison, where they lay a considerable
time at the public charges.

While matters were thus managed tlie primate repaired to
London ; and, as the iiigh commission was dissolved, soma
other method must be taken to carjy on his wicked designs.
Accordingly it was proposed that some more forces should be
raised for securing the quiet of Scotland. Burnet tells us,
that, when the king asked how they should be paidj Sharp
very readily said, the money raised by fining was not yet dis-
posed of, so he proposed the applying of it to that use, which
was agreed to ; and by this means our managers were baulk-
ed in their expectations of dividing the s{)oils among them-
selves. Burnet goes on, and says, i he blame of ail this was
laid upon Sharp, at which they were out of measure enraged,
and charged him with it. He denied it boldly. But the
king published it so openly, that he durst not contradict him.
Many, to whom he denied that he knew any thing of the
jnatter, — afiirmed it to the king, and Lauderdale laid befor.e
his majesty several of his letters which he hiui wrote to tht;
Presbyterians after the king knew he was ncgociating for epis-
copacy,— so that the king looked on him as one of the wors'.
of men. And yut we will nnd he was afterv.-ards re}>resentcd a'-
a saint.

In consequence of the above resolutions, two regiment^ of
foot, and six troops of horse v.-cre raised. Tiiomas Daliiiel
of Binns was n::ade general, and William Drummond, brother
to the Lord Madertie, lieutenant-general. These, v.ith the
guards and the Earl of Linlithgow's regiment, made up about
'^000 foot, and eight troops of horse ; all were ordered to
obey the general, who was a m.'^n naturally rude and fierce.
This army was to be maintained by the fines collected, auvl U>
be collected, and the general was to be accountable to ti*e
e:cchequer for every farthing j but, as most of these iines were
otherwise disposed of before they came into the general's
hands, it was ibund necessary to lay new burdens on the sub-
jects for the support of the army : accordingly, about the end
of the year, a proclamation was issued for calling a conven-
tion of estates to raise money for rnaintaiiung the soldiers iu
defence of the kingdom. But tlieir sitting was prevented t'oi'
some time.

On the Sill of June tlie council passed an act forbiding uni-
versity degrees to be conferred upon any students who wonkj
not take the oath of allegir.nce and suprt-nuicy ; for ecclesias.-
tica! tyranny is generally accompanied with encroach mciits oij
civil liberty.

On the Lord's day, tiie i'd of September, a most dreadfui
ilre began in PuddinQ"-lane behind the monumeni. L.ndoK,

1T4' THE UISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

uhich williin llircc or four days, consumed 89 churches, the
city gates, Guildhall, many public structures, hospitals,
schools, libraries, a vast number oK stately edifices, 13,200
dwelling houses, 400 streets; so that multitudes of people lost
their estates, goods and merchandise, and many families, once
in flourishing circumstances, were reduced to beggary. From
the inscription about the plinth of the lower pedestal of the
Monument, it appears that the Papists were the authors of
tills fire •, for thus they say, * Tliis pillar was set up in per-
« petual remembrance of the most dreadful burning of this

* Protestant city, begun and carried on by the treachery and

* malice of tlie popish faction, in the beginning of September
« in the year of our Lord 1666, in order to their carrying on
<■ their horrid j)lct for the extirpating the Protestant religion
' and old English liberty, and introducing popery and sla-

* very.' The parliament being of this persuasion, address-
ed the king to issue out a proclamation, requiring all popish
priests and Jesuits to depart tlic kingdom within a month •,
:ind appointed a conunittcc, who received evidence of some
Papists, who were seen throwing fire-balls into houses, and of
others who had materials for it in their pockets. This sad
disaster produced some kind of liberty to the npn-conformists
about the ruinous n^etropolis, whereas tlie managers in Scot-
land continued to oppress their fellow-subjects. Accordingly,
on the 1 3th of September, the council wi-ote to the town of
Ayr, signiiying it was their pleasure that Pj-ovost Cuningham

~ should be continued this year as he was the last, and thus
ihey were deprived of their right of election ; nay, letters
■were sent to each of the royal burghs, ordering them to send
in to the clerk of the council the declaration appointed by
parliament, signed by all the members of their town-council
and magistrates since the last returns were made.

On the 1 1th of October the council published a most rigo-
rous proclamation, for procuring obedience to ecclesiastical
authority : by which all masters were charged to see that their
servants give obedience to all the acts relating to conformity,
and keep none in their service but such as did. All heritors
are to see to their tenants conformity, and abstaining from
conventicles, to oblige them to give bond for this effect, and
to raise horning against them upon their refusal, ccc. This
j)roclamation was in consccjuence of a letter from the king, at
the instigation of Sharp. Now, by all these imjjositions, ex-
actions, aiul terrible incroachments upon every thing that was
dear to men and Christians, the sj^irits of many could not
miss being imbittered.

Nevertheless the poor people lay under all these miseries for
the space of seven months and upwards, after Sir James Tur-

rilAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 175

ner niarchcd to the west in the spring, and not only discover-
ed their patience towards God, but liave a greater testimony
of their loyahy and subniission to tlic king, tlian all the tiil-
some and flattering professions of their enemies.

Sir James continued to make terrible havoc in the west and
sonth, insomuch that the country was almost ruined, families
were dispersed, and many, both gentlemen and others, were
forced to abandon dieir liouses, and wander from place ta
})lace among the mosses and mountains, to escape the ravi'.ges
of the merciless soldiers, without having the least thoughts of
resistance, or rising in arms for their own defence •, for that
which, in a little time, Ijappened at Pentland was entirely
casual. Thus,

U{)on Tuesday the 13th of November, four countr}'men,
refreshing themselves in Dairy, a small country village in
Galloway, were informed that three or lour soldiers had
seized a poor old man, and brought him to his own house,
whei'e they were going to strip him naked, and set him up-
on a red hot gridiron, and using other unheard of cruelties.
Whereupon they immediately repaired to the house, and beg-
ged the soldiers to let the poor man alone -, but they, instead
of complying with this huniane desire, attacked the country-
men, who got the better, disarmed the soldiers, and thereby
relieved their fellow-suiferer ; and lest the other soldiers in the
parish, who were about twelve in number, should fall upon
them, they were joined that same night by seven or eight ac-
quaintances, and, next morning early, sur})rised the party of
soldiers, who all laid down their arms, except one \\ho was.
killed in making resistance.

The country upon this was alarmed, and being justly ap-
prehensive of the reprisals which Sir James Turner would
make, they resolved to stand upon their own defence the best
way they could. Accordingly the laird of Barscob, and some
other gentlemen in the neighbourhood, joined the country-
men, and getting together about fifty horse and a few foot,
without loss of time, went to Dumfries on the 15th of No-
vember, where they surprised Sir James, took him prisoner,
and disarmed his soldiers, without hurting any of them, ex-
cept one who was wounded. Tiiis being done, they v/ent to
the market-cross, and publicly drank the king ^health and
})rosperity to his government.

Tliis was the beginning of the insurrection this year, and
therefore it is false to pretend that it was in concert with the
v.higs in England, or the republicans in Holland, such a
correspondence, as my author observes, not being practicable,
considering the circumstances above related. Kapin justly
observes, that it mav easily be judged tliat the Prc-bvteriaiis
1

176 THK HISTORY OF THE CKAF. VII,

in England woiilJ not liavc been spared, if tliey could have
been proved guilty, considering how the government i«tood
aflected towards them. Neither was this the oil'oct of an y
previous consultation with their ministers, as Bishop Biiinct
intimates; so that he says, without any ground or proof, that
Messrs Sempill, Maxwell, Welsh and Guthrie were the chief
incendiaries. The reader is to judge whether the informa-
tions Durnct had from the persecutors, or those of the suffer-
ers themselves are most to be dej)ended upon.

JStephen Irvine, one of the Magistrates oi Dumries, in-
formed tlie council, on the IGth of November, of an insur-
rection by a considerable number of armed men, jxirticu-
larly that he saw — Ncilson of Corsack, M'Lellan of Bars-
cob, Mr Alexander Robertson a minister's son — Maccartney
of Blaiket, and James Callum glover in Dumfries, among
them.

'i'his news struck a panic into the prelates and managers
at Edinburgh, who immediately dispatched an express to
court. The Earl of Rothes had gone for London a day or
two before the alTIiir at Dairy ; so that the exj^ress reached
the king before his lordship, who was quite suipriscd when
his majesty told liim of thib horrible conspiracy as the council
termed it. At the same time the council wrote to the neigh-
bouring noblemen to c>«ert themselves in maintaining the
peace, and to concur with, and su))port the forces. Next day
they ordered General Dulzicl, with as many of the forces as
could be got together, to march to Glasgow ; and from thence
to the place v.hcrc he should find the insurrection come to
any head. After they had taken care to secure the metro-
polis, and given orders to several of the nobility to contribute
to their assistance by coming in with their men in arms. On
the 2 ! St, they issued a }M-(X-iamation against the rebels in arms
in the west, commandiug and charging them to desist h'om
their rebellion, lay down their arms, and surrender their })er-
sons to the lieutenant-general, or some other of the king's
oflicers or magistrates, within twenty four hours after this
publication ; and discharging all persons from aiding, assist-
ing, resetting, harbouring, or keeping any correspondence
with the rebels, (jr any of thcni, under the pain of treason.

This proclaauition contained no })romise of indemnity; so
that, upon the matter, it was connnanding people to come to
the scallhld, and requiring them to submit to the severities of
the prelates, who were the fountain of all their miseries. Be-
sides, twenty-four hoursaftcr the d:itcof the proclamation was
£0 short a time, that it would be elapsed before it could reach
them in Galloway ; so that it was not possible for them to
comply with the terms of it : Bishop Burnet therefore wai

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. lit

misinfornietl, in saying that tlie general published a proclama-
tion of pardon to all who should in twenty-four liours time
return to their houses.

After those who were in arms had seized Sir James Tur-
ner, and were determined to defend tlicmselves, their first
care was to increase their numbers, and get all the assistance
they could from their friends ; but geverai whom they hoped
would have joined them thought it convenient to remain
quiet. HowevQr, they were joined by Colonel Wallace, Mr
John Welsh, Mr Robertson, and others. When they were
got to Ochiltree, Mr John Guthrie minister at Tarboiton
came to them with some from that parish ; Mr Gabriel Seai-
pill preached to them, and here they modelled themselves,
chose their own officers, and held their first council of war,
wliere, after prayer, they resolved to march castwai'd to Edin-
burgh. When they were got to Douglas, after debating upon
that important question, whether they should disperse or con-
tinue in arms, it was resolved upon the latter, believing that
God was able to save by few as well as by many ; and, if their
design should miscarry, they had this for thpir comfort, that
they had engaged in the cause of religion and liberty, and
were not unwilling to die as sacrifices to these. They also
resolved to carry Sir James Turner along with them; and
though it was proposed to take away his life, yet they spared
him because it is said they found, that, notwithstanding all
the cruellies he had used, he had received orders from tlie
bishops, and others, for a great deal more than he had
done. They also ucanimously resolved to renew the cove-
nants.

Accordingly on Sabbath morning they marched for Lan-
ark, to which they came at night. In the way, Knockbreck's
two sons, with some few from Galloway, overtook them, and
signified that no more were to be expected from the south ;
and here their numbers were the largest, being judged to be
near three thousand : however, one who was among them
says, * When we came to Lanark, I know not if we were

* much above fifteen hundred horse and foot; several indeed

* were daily joining us.'

This night they gave intunatlon that thc^ intended next
day, being the 26tli of November, to renew the covenant at
tliat place. In the morning they wore alarmed with l,he news
that General Dalziel was within a few miles of them. ; v.hcre-
iipon some were for postponing the renewing of the covenants,
but that motion was rejected. And therefoi'e, after they had
sent out some parties, and placed pro})cr guards, they began
the solemn work. And as they could not, logctlier witiv t'le
townsmen and tlie people in the adjacent country )nect nil i:*

VOL. I. M "

178 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

one place, they separated into two companies. Tlic foot as-
sembled in the High Street of Lanark, to whom Mr John
Guthrie minister at Tarbolton preached a sermon suitable to
the occasion. After which he read the covenants, to every
article of which, with their hands lifted up to heaven, they
engaged with great solemnity and devotion. The horsemen
met at the head of the town ; Mr Gabriel Sempill and Mr
John Crook shank preached to them. After sermon tlie co-
venants were read and s\\orn as above. It is likely it was
about this time that th'^ principal persons among them drew
up and agreed to the following short manifesto, or declaration,
for present use, with a view to draw up a larger one after-
wards, neither month nor day is mentioned.

Declaration nf those in arms for the Covenant, 1G6G.

* r"i^HE nature of religion doth sufficicndy teach, and all

* -■- men almost acknowledge the lawfulness of sinless self-

* defence \ yet we thought it our duty, at this time to give an

* account unto tiie world of the occasion and design of our

* being together in arms, since the rise and scope of ac-

* tions, if fauhy, may render a thing, right upon the mat-

* ter, sinful.

* It is known to all, that the king's majesty, at his corona-
« tion, did engage to rule the nation according to the reveal-

* ed will of God in scripture, to prosecute the ends of the

* National and Solenm League and Covenants, and fully to

* establish Presbyterian government, with the directory for

* worship, and to approve all acts of parliament establishing

* the same -, and thereupon the nobility and others of his

* subjects did swear allegiance, and so religion was committed

* unto him as a m.atter of trust, secured by most solemn in-

* denture betwixt him and his people.

* Notwithstanding all this, it is soon ordered that the Co-

< vc!uint be burnt, that the tie of it is declared void and null,

* and men forced to subscribe a declaration contrary to it j

* episcopal government in its height of tyranny is established,

* and men obliged by law not to plead, witness, or petition

* against those things ; grievous tines, sudden imprisonments,

* vast quarterings of soldiers, and a cruel inquisition by the

* high-commission court were the reward of all such who

* could not comply with the government by lordly hierarchy,

* and abjure their Covenants, and prove more monstrous, to

< tlie wasting their conscience, than nature would have suffer-
' ed heathens to be. Those things, in part, have been all
' Scotland over, but chiefly in the poor county of Galloway
« at this day : and, had not God prevented; it should have in

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 179

< the same measures undoubtedly befallen tlic rest of the na-

* tion ere long.

* The just sense whereof made us chuse rather to betake

* ourselves to the fields for self-defence, than to stay at home

* burdened daily with the calamities of others, and tortured

* with the fears of our own approaching misery. And con-

* sidering our engagement to assist and defend all those who

* entered into this league and covenant with us ; and to the

* end we may be more vigorous in the prosecution of this

< matler, and all men may know the true state of our cause,

* we have entered into the solenni league and covenant ; and

* though it be hardly thought of, renewed the same, to the

* end we may be free of the apostacy of our times, and savecl-

* from the cruel usages persons resolved to adhere to this have

* met with ; hoping that this will wipe off the reproach that is

* upon our nation, because of the avowed perjury it lies under.

< And being fully persuaded, that this league however misre-
' presented, contains nothing in it sinful before God, dero-

* gating to the king's just authority, the privileges of the par-

* liament, or liberty of the people, but, on the contrary, is the

< surest bond whereby all these are secured, since a threefold

* cord is not easily broken, as we shall make appear in our

* next and larger declaration, which shall contain more fully

* the proofs of the lawfulness of entering into covenant, and

* necessity of our taking arms at this time for the defence of

* it ; with a full and true account of our grief and sorrow for

* our swerving from it, and suft'ering ourselves to be divided,

* to the reproach of our common cause, and saddening the

* hearts of the godly ; a thing Ave sorrowfully remember, and
' firmly resolve against in all time coming.'

Though this paper seems to have been made In liasle, in
the midst of many insurmountable inconveniences, yet there
is nothing in it against the king's authority. As for the
larger declaration promised, it is probable that it was never
drawn uf), they having been a little after this routed at F<?nt-,
land.

While they were at Lanark, William Laurie of Bhickwood
came up to them from Duke Hamilton, to prevail with them
to lay down their arms ; but, as he did not apply to Coio-
nel V/allace, or any of their ofHcers, he returned wlthoui
success.

In the afternoon Dalzlel v/ith his army were cnterin"' La-
nark before Colonel Wallace and his men had all left it. The
latter marched that night to Bathgate, where having no ac-
commodation, they renewed their march about midnight, and
came, after inexpressible fatigue^, to the Newbridge in th.i

180 THE HISTOilY Ot THE CHAP. VII.

morning, and it was reckoned that tlioy lost tliat night near
the half of" their little army. From thence they marched to
Collingtonn, within three miles of" Edinbuigh.

By this time the king's forces wvvv come to Calder, within
live miles of them, and all gentlemen, and others, in Edin-
burgh, who had horses, were ordered by the council to mount
them, and march under the command of the Marquis of Mon-^
trose to join the general, so that they could not have airy of
their friends to join them -, for though a few gentlemen in
Renfrewshire had assembled a small company oi' horsemen,
about fifty in number, in order to join Colonel Wallace, yet,
hearing that Dalziel was between them and their friends, they
thought proper to disperse. I'his small party was connnand-
ed by William Muir of Caldwell, and with him were Robert
Ker of Kersland, Caldwell of that ilk, the laird of Halston,
John Cuninghani of Bcdland, William Porterfield of Quarrel-
toun, Alexander Porterfield, his brother, &c. together with
Mr Gabriel Maxwell, minister at Dundonald, Mr George
Ramsay, minister at Kilmawers, and Mr John Carstairs, mi-
nister at Glasgow. The laird of Blackstoun was likeyi'ise
with th.is party, but was so from being a friend to the cause
they were appearing for, that, upon hearing of the defeat at
Pentland, it ii> said, that he went to the archbishop of Glas-
gov\-, and upon promise of pardon, discovered and informed
against the rest.

But to retui-n to Colonel Wallace and his decreasing army.
W^hile on their march to Collingtoun the laird of Blackwood
came up again to them, with proposals from Duke Hamilton
to lay down their arms, in hopes of an indemnity, which the
Duke promised to endeavour to obtain for them j but the
Colonel and ♦hey who were Viith hin), dismissed Blackwood
wjth.out complying with his proposals. When they got to
Collingtoun, and found themselves disappointed of any as-
sistance from their friends about Edinburgh, both their hopes
and counsels were at an end. And here Blackwood came a
third'time, and with him the laird of Barskimming to renew
the former proposal : withal signifying, that he had obtained
the general's word of lionour for a cessation of" arms till next
)norning, and that he had undertaken as much from them.
Upon this Colonel Wallace, by appointment, wrote to the
geneial by these two gentlemen, representing their grievances,
and signifying that their design was to apply to the council
for redress, and desiring a j)ass for one of their number that
might lejiresent their grievances and desires more fully ; con-
cluding with a request that Blackwood might return whh the
.Teneral's ans\\ er as soon as possible.

CriAP. Vir. QHURCH OF SCOTLAND. ISl

But the general, instead of returning any answer, sent the
letter directly to the council ; and, notwithstanding the assur-
ances given of a cessation of arms, marched his army straight
towards them. Colonel Wallace and his men resolved upon
the best letreat tliey could, and from Collingtoun they march-
ed to the House of the Muir, and from thence to Rullion-
green near Pentland Hills, where they drew up the dispirited
remains of their army, not exceeding sine hundred men,
spent and fatigued. They had no design of fighting, but
were still in hopes of a peaceable conclusion from Blackwood's
negociation.

They were scarce formed in this manner, when an alarm
came that a body of horse was approaching them -, they found
it was Dalziel's van, which had cut through the ridge of
Pentland Hills, and came upon them undiscovered, till they
were within a quarter of a mile, upon a hill over against them.
Colonel Wallace upon this sent Captain Arnot, who repulsed
Lieutenant-general Drummond, who was sent by the general
with a select party to begin the attack. Here Mr John
Crookshank and Mr Andrew Maccormock, two ministers
come from Ireland, were both killed. When the lieutenant-
general was driven back, there was no small confusion among
Dalziel's army, of whoin not a few threw down their arms.
Major Learmont made the second attack, and repulsed the
enemy ; Duke Hamilton narrowly escaping. The last en-
counter was after sun- set, when the general's foot, flanked
with their horse upon all hands, overpowered the colonel's
little army, and completely routed them. There were some
more than fifty of the colonel's men killed, and as many
taken prisoners. The two ministers, and others who lost
their lives in this action, were buried at Rullion-green.
There was afterwards a stone put on their graves, with an
inscription, which the reader will find in the Cloud of Wit-
nesses ; scvci'al of Dalziel's army were wounded, but few of'
them killed.

After this action the people in the adjacent parishes were
very cruel to the flying army, many of whom they killed, and
others they took prisoners. Colonel Wallace and Mr John
Welsh fled north j the former got safe to Holland, where ha
lived several years. We shall meet with the latter afterwards.
Thus was this body of good people dispersed and routed upon
the 2Sth of November, 1666, and an end put to this rising,
v.-hich by their enemies was termed a rebellioii, a horrible con-
spiraaj, and what not \ though they always protested, that
their only design was to present their grievances, and bear ft.
testimony lor their God and their country, ft>r their r-jligion
and libcrtv.

182 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

Tlic day after the engagement the council wrote to the
king, giving him an account of tlie suppressing of the rcbel-
hon •■, m which, among other things, they say, ' Many of

< them arc prisoners, against wliom there shall be speedy pro-
' ccedings — but althougii tliis rabble be totally dissipated for
' the time, yet we conceive ourselves obliged, in the discharge
' of our duty, to re})resent inito your majesty, that those
^ principles, which are pretended as the ground of this re-

< hellion, are so rooted in many several places through the
' kingdom, and there be just grounds of apprehensions of
' danger from persons disaffected to your majesty's govern-

* ment, as it is now established by law, as will require more

♦ vigorous application for such an extirpation of it, as may

< secure the peace of the kingdom, and due obedience to the

♦ laws. And we shall not be wanting in any thing in our
' power ; and ycur majesty's commands shall be obeyed by

Your majesty's most, &c.

St Andrews, &c/

Though this small handfiil was provoked to rise in arms,
great care was taken, not only to brand tlie whole body of
Presbyterians as rebels and traitors, but also to prevent any
of those who had been in the engagement from making their
escape. On the 30th of November, the lord- treasurer was
appointed ny the council to secure the goods and rents of all
who had been at Pentiand. After all thisj it is easy to ima-
gine that the hardships of these poor people must have been
exceeding great. Besides those who, having escaped from
tlie field of battle, were most cruelly murdered by the coun-
try people, multitudes w^re forced for many years to lurk
and conceal themselves, and undergo intolerable difficulties.

* On the 1st of December the council gave ordei-^ to Ge-

< neral Dalziel to search for and apprehend all persons and

< their horses, who have been in arms with the rebels, or are

* susjiected, since or before their defeat,, or who have reset,

♦ and been aiding to them, and to intromit with their goods,

* and require him to quarter upon their lands with his forces ;

♦ and Duke Hamilton was appointed to seize all such in La-

* narkshire.'

On the 4th of December a very severe proclamation was
published, in which all and every one of the subjects were
strictly charged not to harbour, reset, supply or correspond,
hide or conceal the persons of Colonel James Wallace, Ma-
jor Learmont, Maxwell of Moncrief younger, Mac-

iellan of Barscob, Gordon of Parbreck, M'Lcliand

of Balmagachan, Cannon of Burnshalloch younger,

Cannon of Barley young'er, Cannon of Mordrogget

CHAP. VII. CHURCH or SCOTLAND. 183

younger, Welsh of Skar, Welsh of Cornley, — —

Gordon of Garcry in Kells, Robert Chalmer, brother to Gad-
girth, Henry Grier in Balmaclellan, David Scot in Irongray,
John and William Gordons, John jVIacnaught, Robert and

Gilbert Cannons, all in Midtoun of Dairy, Gordon of

Bar, elder in Kirkpatrick, Durham, Patrick Macnaught in
Cumnock, itnd his son John, • Gordon of Holm younger,

Dempster of Carridow, of Dargoner, ■ ...

of Sundiwal, Ramsay in the Mains of Ai-nistoun, John

Hutcheson in Newbottle, Rew, chaplain to Scotstarbet,

Patrick Listoun in Caldcr, and his son William, James Wil-
kie in the Mains of Cliftounhall, the laird of Caldwell, the
goodman of Caldwell, the laird of Kersknd, the laird of Bed-
land, Cuningham, Porterficld of Quaz-reltoun, his bro-
thel' Alexander, Lockhart of Wicketshawj Trail,

son to Mr Robert Trail, David Poe in Pokelly, and Messrs
Gabriel Scmple, John Sem^ie, John Guthrie, John W^elsh,

Samuel Arnot, James Si^Wh, Alexander Peden, Orr,

William Veltch, Patton, Crookshank, Gabriel

Maxwell, John Carstairs, James Mitchel, William Forsyth,
or any otliers who concurred or joined in the late rebellion ;
but that they pursue, apprehend, and deliver them up to jus-
tice, otherwise to be esteemed and punished as favourers of it.
My author was informed, that several of the persons above-
named were nowise concerned in the rising. Mr John
Crookshank was killed in the action, so that none could be
in hazard of correspondence with him. And as the John
Semple named amongst the ministers might be mistaken for
one Mr John Semple minister at Caisphai)'n, who was no-
wise concerned, he was obliged to crave redress, which was
granted. *

The same day, the council desired the archbishops to order
the bishops in their respective sees to oblige all the ministers
in their several dioceses to give in a list of the names of ejected
ministers, with tlie places of their residence^ and in what man-
ner any of them have transgressed against the act of August
13, 1663.

But to come to the case of tlie prisoners taken at this time.
The victory was celebrated with almost as many guns from
the castle, as there were men slain in the field. The prisoners,
alx)ut fifty in number, who were taken in the action, were
brought in by the soldiers to Edinburgh, and the country peo-
ple brought in about thirty more. These were all crowded
together in a place near the tolbooth, called Haddoid's hoU\
now one of tlie churches of the city. Wlien that worthy old
minister Mr Arthur jNItirray, who lived in the suburbs, open-
ed liis window, and saw Dalzicl's army marching v.ith their

I84f THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VI T.

banners di4)liiyccl, and heard tlie shouts of the soldiers tri-
nmpliing over the prisoners, ho was so impressed with grief,
that he took his bc<l immediately, and died in about two days
after.

Bishop Burnet says, ' That the best of the episcopal clergy
i^et upon the bishops to lay hold on this opportunity for re-
gaining the allections of the country, by becoming intercessors
lor the prisoners, and the conntry, that was like to be quar-
tered upon and eaten up ibr the favour they expressed to them ;
and that many of the bishops went into this, j)articularly that
Wisheart, Bishop of Edinburgh shewed a very Christian dis-
]wsition at this time, by sending every day very liberal supplies
to the jn-isoncrs, which was likewise done by almost the whole
town. — But Sharp, says Burnet, could not be mollified ; on
ihe contrary, he encouraged the ministers in the disaffected
counties to bring in all the informations they could gather
against the prisoners, and all who had been among them, that
they might be sought for and proceeded against — And that
the ministers, in these parts, acted so unbecoming a part, that
the aversion of the country to them was increased to all pos-
sible degrees. They looked on them as wolves and not as
sl'.cpherds.' Tlirre is one thing more that my author asserts,
upon good information, viz. that after several of the prisoners
were condemned, and a few executed, a letter came down
from the king discharging the taking any more lives. This
letter came to Sharp as president of the council, who kept it
up till as many as he had a mind should die. Bishop Burnet
says, that Mr Mackail's death, of which we shall hear, was the
more cried out on, because it canVc to be known aftei'wards,
that Archbishop Burnet of Glasgow, who had come down
before his execution, had brought with him a letter from the
king, iu which he a})proved of all that they had done ; but
added, that he thought there was blood enough shed, and
therefore ordered that such of the prisoners as should promise
to obey the laws for the future should be set at liberty, and
that the incorrigible should be sent to the plantations. Not-
>vithstanding, Burnet let the execution go on, before he pro-
<luced his letter. But I am apt to believe, if Burnet brought
this letter from the king, he delivered it into the hands of
Sharp, who wickedly and basely concealed it : but however
this was, it appears the king was more humane than the
bishops.

On the same 4 th of December, the council ordered the king's
advocate to prosecute eleven of the prisoners for high treason,
viz. Major John Macculloch, Captain Andrew Arnot brothef
to the Laird of Lochridge, Thomas Paterson merchant in
<llasgcw, Joiin Gordo.M of Knockbreck and his brother Ro-

CHAP. Vn. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 185

bert, John Parker in Biisbie, Gavin Hamilton, James Hamil-
ton in Kilmuir, John Ross in Mauchlin, John Shields in Tit-
wood, and Christopher Strang. They likewise appointed Sir
John Hume of Renton, jiistice-clerk, and Mr William Mur-
ray, advocate, justice-depute, to be their judges, and allowed
four advocates to plead for them. On the same day the judges
sat down, for form's sake heard the advocates plead a little,
and very quickly jironounced sentence, that they should be all
hanged at the market-cross on Friday the 7th of December ;
their heads and right arms to be cut off, and disposed of as
the council should see fit. The council, the day before the
execution, met, and ordered that the heads of Major Maccul.
loch, John and Robert Gordons to be setup at Kirkcudbright,
John Parker, Gavin and James Hamiltons, and Cliristojihcr
Strang, at Hamilton, John Ross and John Shields at Kilmar-
nock, and Captain Arnot's at the water-gate i and the right
hands of the above-mentioned persons were ordered to be af-
fixed on the public ports of the town of Lanark, being the
place where they took the covenant. Thomas Palerson re-
ceived sentence of death along with the re^t, but liis dying of
his wounds })revented the execution. The curious reader
may see the whole process against these excellent persons in
Mr Wodrow's appendix to book second, Vol. I. No. 9.

These ten were accordingly executed on the 7th of Decem-
ber. Bisliop Burnet says true. That it was a moving sight
to see ten of the prisoners hanged upon one gibbet at Etlin-
burgh, espcci/illy if we consider that they were taken upon
quarter and solemn parole to have their lives sj:)ared as w'-as
argued at their trial. In their joint testimony, which together
with the dying speeches of some of them, arc in Naphtali,
they say, ' We arc condemned by men, and esteemed by

* many as rebels against the king, whose authority v.e acknow-

* ledge. But this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our con-

* science, that we sufler not as evil-doers, but for righteousness,

* lor the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and

* particularly for our j-enewing the covenant, and, in pursu-
< ance thereof, for preserving and defending of ourselves by

* arms against the usurpation and insupportable tyranny of

* the prelates, &c.' It is said that when Knockbrcck and his
brother were turned off' the ladder, they clasped one another
in their arms, and thus endured the pangs of death.

Their heads and light-arms were disposed of according to
tlic above order of council. The heads of John Parker, Gavin
and James Hamiltons, and Christopher Strang were alter-
wards buried in the church-yard of Ilamilton, and a grave-
.stone was put on thorn, with an inscription recorded in (ho
Cloud of \V'itncsses.

186 THE HISTOnV OF THE CHAP. VII.

Great were tlic hardships which some of the families of
tliese martyrs were brought to ; for instance Major Maccul-
loch before Pentland, had several soldiers quartered upon liim
for thirty days, and, besides their entertainment, had eight-
pence a-day to pav to each of them, over and above lOOl. of
"fine to Sir James Tiirner. He paid Kkewise his whole par-
liamentary fine }6i)5, consisting of li'OO merks, together with
")00 merks of riding money to the soldiers who exacted it.
His estate lay under forfeiture froiii Pentland to the Revolu-
tion. After Pentland, one Charles Campbell, without any
warrant, seized a horse and clothes from his son William,
who was not in the least concerned in the rising, to the value
of ISl. sterling. His eldest son was kept a whole year in
prison after Lis father's execution, only because he was his
son. And in the year 1681, his lady had those landi forfeited
in which she was happily iiifeft when her husband suffered.

The harrassings and losses of the family of Gordon ofKnock-
breck cannot be expressed, for besides their parliamentary
fine, and their common losses with others in Galloway by Sir
James Turner, in a httle after Pentland their' whole crop for
that year was seized, and their household furniture disposed
of and destroyed ; six soldiers were quartered upon the house
from the 6th of March to the 9th of July ; near 4001. of cess
and other impositions were levied from them and their tenants.
In 1684', Captain Strachan and his troop seized upon and de-
stroyed thcir^whole houseliold furniture ; next year Glenlyon,
with near two hundred Highlanders', stayed at Knockbreck
from Thursday to Monday, consumed and took along with
them all the victuals they could find, broke the windows, and
took the horses to bear away the spoil; and, last of all, cruel
Lagg came with a party, plundered the house, and was witli
diiriculty prevented from setting it on fire. From these the
reader may form a judgment of the calamities that befel the
families of those who suHered at this time.

The last execution being over, other five of the prisoners
were prosecuted for high treason, and condemned to be hanged
•at the cross of Edinburgh on the 14th of December. The
judges did not, it seems, now give tiiemselves the trouble of
jieaxing advocates, but made shorter work, and went upon
their own confession : and the council, being weary of disposing
heads and arms, ordered the magistrates of Edinburgh to fix
their heads where tliey thought fit, and to bury their bodies
in the commori place. Their names are as follows, viz. Mr
Alexander lu/oertson preacher of the gospel, (who was be-
trayed by his friend the Laird of Mortoun, to whom he sur-
rendered upon promise oi' his life, and whom he expressly'
Jprgavc at his death) John Niclson of Corsack, George Ciaw-

CHAP. Vll. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 1S7

ford in Cumnock, John Gordon in the parisli of Irongray,
and John Lindsay in Edinbui-gh : tlielast named was respited,
but the rest \vere"^all executed at the time and place appointed.
The speeches of the first three are in Naphtali, where, with
their last breath, they refused that their rising was rebellion :
they all acknowledged the king's just authority ; particularly
George Crawford said, ' That wliich moved me to come along

* with these men was their persuasion and my desire to help

< them, (which widi a sale conscience, I could not well refuse)

* who being tyrannically oppressed by the prelates and their

* dependents and upholders, and seeing no other way was left

* to be taken, took v.p arms for their own defence. And if this

* be rebellion, 1 leave it to the great God the same supreme

* Judge to discern -, for, in my weak judgment, I found it

< warrantable ^rom the word of God, and witliout prejudice

* of the king's authority, (which I pray God to direct and

* guide in the right ways of the Lord, and to make him prosper
« therein, so that he may be surely set in his kingdom, having

* him wliom no enemy can resist to defend him) seeing there

* was nothing intended by us against his or any others just

< and lawful authority, ci,c.' Me was so pleased to die, that
he pressed to be up the ladder, and, when upon the top of it
triumphed in Christ.

John Neilson of Corsack, a gentleman of excellent j)arts,
was singled out to greater suffering than any of his fellow-suf-
ferers. When Sir James Turner came first into Galloway,
Mr Dalgliesh the curate of Partan delated Corsack for non-
conformity ; whereupon Sir James exacted 4-001. Scots from
him, and, contrary to promise, sent him pi-isoncr to Kirkcud-
bright. After this by the quartering of soldiers, which Sir
James sent upon him, he sustained the loss of above 10921.
Scots. By these hardships he was obliged to leave his I;ousc,
and wander from place to place. During his wandering ho
lost his horse worth lOOl, was himself apprehended, and for
some time kept a prisoner. AVhen they had turned his lady
and children to the doors, they next fell upqn his tenants,
obliging tlum to bring in sheep, lambs, meal, and malt to
them, till they were almost all ruined. And, last of all, they
drove all his oxen and black cattle to Glasgow, and sold them ;
and all this for nothing but non.conformity. Was it then
any wonder that he, and many others in the like circumstan-
ces, embraced the first opportunity to complain of, and relieve
themselves, if possible, from such dreadful oppressions .'' But
while attempting this he was taken at Pentland, and carried
prisoner to Edinburgh. Sir James Turner used his interest
to get his life spared, because Corsack saved Sir James, when
ome moved to have him cut of>j though none suflercd more

18ft THE IITSTORV OF THE CHAP. VII.

from Sir James than this good man. But the bisho])s, at the
desire jf Dalglicsh the curate, prcv^uled above all the interest
Sir James could make.

On the 4th December the council ordered him and Mr
Hugh Miickail to be tortured with the boots, ffor they put a
pair ot'iron boots close on the leg, and drove wedges between
these and the leg, until the marrow came out of the bone.)
What moved the council to pitch upon these two is not known.
A conspiracy was jjretendcd, and by this torture they were
examined, in order to force them to make some discoveries.
Corsack was dreadfully tornicnted, so that his shrieks would
have melted the hearts of any except those }iresent, who were
so far from being moved, tliat they still called for the other
touch. These were the times of prelacy !

His lady being in Edinbuigh, after Ins death, Maxwell of
Miltouu came to the house of Corsack with thirty men, took
away every thing they could, and destroyed the rest : nay,
they turned the iamily, in whlcli was a nurse with a sucking-
child to the open fields. Stmietime after this, Sir William
Bannantync came and toak an inventory of every thing that
was in the house, sci2e(i that year's crop, and arrested the
rents in ihe tenants hands. And because Arthur M'Gachie
in Glcnhoad one of his tenants, had conversed with him a day
or two before Pev,t]and, he, his wife and yoii"g child, were
carried <vfi' prisoners, and kept some weeks. Amongst other
hardsliips, Ivacly Corsack had till her moveables seizcil, merely
for conversing with her own son, who had been intcrcom-
mnued or outlawed, and paid near lOOL This family endured
iTi>:iny other oj^pressions which I cannot insert here. And,
therefcve I go on to. the proceedings against the other
prisoners.

On the 5th of December a commission was given to Did-cc
Hamilton, the Marquis of Montrose, the Earls of Argyle,
Linlithgow, Kelly, Galloway, M'igtoun, Nithsdale, Dumfries,
Callander, Airly, Annandale, the Lords Montgomery and
Drumlaiiark, the Master of Cochran, General Dalziel, Lieu-
tenant-general Drunmiond, James Crichton brothev to the
Earl of Dumfrie.;, Colonel James Montgomery, Charles Malt-
land of Haltoun, and Mungo ISIurray, or any three of them,
with justiciary power to go to any shire, burgh or place, where
there was any rising or insurrection, and there to hold courts,
cite parties and examine witnesses, and take all other courses*
which they shall think fit, for trying and discovering all such
persons as were authors, aiders, or abettors of the rebel-
lion, kc-

Accordingly, on tl.o 17tli of December, the Earls of Lin-
litliTOw and'Wigtoun, the Lord ^lontgouiery and Mungo

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. J 89

Murray, bavliip; constituted themselves in a court at Glasgow,
found Robert Buntine in Fenwick-parish, John Hart in the
parish of Glasford, Robert Scot in Dalserf, and Matthew
Paton shoemaker in New-mills, guilty of rebellion and treason,
and condennied them to be executed at Glasgow the 19tli of
December. They behaved in a becoming Christian way, had
great peace of conscience, and died with much joy and com-
fort.

It was here that vilepractice was begun, which turned after-
wards common, of beating drums v/hen tlie suffei-ers began to
speak to the spectators. A plain evidence of an ill cause,
which cannot bear to see the light ! The persecutors were
afraid lest the last words of tlicse dying martyrs should make
deep impression on the hearers, and contirm the faith of those
who wqre well affected to liberty and religion ; and indeed,
such was the Christian and mianly behaviour of these noble
sufferers, that few were terrified by their death, and many
were convinced of the goodness of their cause, and lirccd iii
their resolutions to adiiere to it.

Upon the 1 8th of December the justice-clerk and justice-
depute condemned Mr Hugh Maekail, Thomas Lenox,
Humphrey Colquhoun, Ralph Shields an Englishm-tn, clo-
thier in Ayr, William Peden merchant there, John \\^otlrow
merchant in Glasgow, Robert Macmillan, John Wilson in
the parish of Kilmawers, and Mungo Kaijjo in Evandalc, to
be hanged at the cross of Edinburgh on the 22d of December.
Three of these, viz. Robert Macmillan, William Peden, and
Thomas Lenox, together with John Lindsay formerly respited,
got off", either on account ol" their making some jiartial com-
pliances, or perhaps the i'eason was the king's letter formerly
mentioned, wherein he declared he would have no more lives
taken y the rest were all executed^ and died with Christian re-
solution and courage.

John Wodrovv merchant in Glasgow, in his testimony and
letter to his wife, was observed to exceed one of liis education
and circumstances ; the reader will find both in Na})hliili ; he
concludes his letter to his wite in these words^ ' And now I

* give you and my four children unto the Lord, and con>mit

* you to him as your covenanted God and husband, and my
' children's covenanted father. I say no more, but either

* study to be intleed a sincere Christian, arid a seeker of his
« face in sincerity, or else you w ill be nothing at all. 1 recom-

* mend yon and your young ones to him, v.ho i.s Gud all suf-

* ficicnt, and abcundeth in meicy and love to them that love

* him and keep his covenant. '1 he blessing of the covenant

* be n-pon you ; so lare-you-well. So saith your loving and

* dvin.'.;; husband, (?cc.' flurnnlnev Coioidicuji spoke i;">t like

IDO THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

an ordinary townsman, but like one in the suburbs of heaven,
related his Christian experiences, called for his Bible from
one of his friends, laid it on his wounded arm, ond jjpoke to
the admiration of all that heard him. John Wilson began
his speech with these remarkable words, * Good people and

* spectators, I am here condemned to die upon alleged rebel-
« lion against the king and his authority, which God knoweth

* I never intended ; for, in my judgment, a man's endeavour-

* ing to extirpate perjured prelates and abjured prelacy, ac-

* cording as he is bound by oath in a sworn covenant, may

* very well stand with a man's loyalty to king and country ;

* for I am sure the king and his subjects may be happy, yea,

* more happy, in the extirpation of prelates and prelacy, than

* in their standing ; yea, the throne shall never be established

* in peace, until that wicked plant be plucked up by the roots,

* which hath so much wasted and made desolate the Lord's
« vineyard. For my part, I pray that the Lord may bless our

* king with blessings from heaven, and make him a friend to

* the interest of Christ, as the best way for the standing of his

< throne to many generations : and I pray for all that are in
« authority under his majesty, that the Lord may not lay to

* their charge the innocent blood of his saints which they have

* shed, &c.' There was likewise something very moving and
alfecting in the last testimony of Ralph Shields on this occa-
sion, in which he not only declared his respect for authority,
^s the ordinance of God, appointed for the punishment of evil
doers, and his sincere wishes for his majesty's welfare, but
likewise the encouragement he had in sulfering at this time
for the cause of Christ •, and speaking concerning his native
country, for which he could not but have a real affection, he
expressed liimself thus : ' O diat it were the happiness of my

< nation of England, once to subject themselves to the sweet

* yoke of Christ's reformed government, under which this
« nation of Scotland hath enjoyed so much of die power and

* life of the gospclj by a faitliful ministry according to the co-

* venant sworn by them bodi, 8:c.'

But as the circumstances of Mr Mackail's sufft-rings at this
time are more singular, I must be excused for giving the par-
ticular i-clation thcrcol" recorded in Naplitali

Mr Hugh Mackail having finished his studies at the uni-
versity of Ldinburgli, and under the care of his ancle of the
same name, was licensed by the presbytery of Edinburgh J 661,
being then Iwcrity years of age. He was sometime chaplain
to Sir Janies 8tcv;an of Kirkfield. All his public performances
met with universal acceptance, until the 1:1st of September,
TfG62, when he preached his la>t public sermon in the great
church of Edinburgh, from Song. i. 7. in which, speaking of
1

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 191

the many and great persecutions that had befallen the churcli,
he said, among other tilings, ' That tlie church and people of
* God liad been persecuted by a Pharaoh upon the throne, a
I Haman in the state, and a Judas in the church.' And
though he made no application, yet tb.e cases of Hanian and
Judas apjieared, to tlic conviction of his adversaries, to have
such a resemblance to the condition of the rulers of the state
and church at that time, particularly of Lauderdale and Sharp,
that a few days after a pai"ty of horse was sent to apprehend
him, but he happily escaped, retired to his father's house, and
soon after went abroail, where he accomplished himself in his
studies for a few years.

When he came home he was the more qualified to be the
object of the prelates' spite and malice. At last he occasionally
joined those who rose in arms in Galloway, and continued
among them a little time, till Tuesday the 27th of November,
\vlien, not being able to endure the fatigues of constant march-
ing, he left them near the new bridge upon Crammond water,
and was taken by some countrymen as he was passing through
a place called Braid's Crags.

When he was brought to Edinburgh, he was carried first
to the council-house, and, after being searched for letters, and
none beinjj found, was committed to the tolbooth.

Next day, by ordei* of council, he was examined bcfoi'e the
Earl of Dumfries, Lord Sinclair, Sir Robert Murray of Priest-
field, and others ; but he waved the question, and refused to
sign any thing they wrote, because he conceived he was not
obliged to be his own accuser. On the 29th, he gave in a de-
claration under his own hand, testilying that he had been
with the wcstland forces, with whom lie occasionally met, and
that he resolved to have withdrawn fi-om them upon the first
opportunity, which he was about to do when ho was taken,
without either offering to fly or resist, whicVi he desired the
council rather to believe, because he had told so much to Wil-
liam Laurie of Blackwood ; but though Blackwood owned
this to be truth, yet the council, suspecting Mr Mackail to have
been a contriver of the insurrection, and privy to all their de-
signs, importuned him to be ingenuous in declaring who were
the ring-leaders of their late rising, and v/liat correspondence
ihey had either at hon:e or abroad. And, in order to extort
such a confession, on Monday the f^d of D.'cember the boots
were laid before him on the council table, and they gave him
to know, tliat if he did not confess he should be tortured with
them to-morrow.

Accordingly, on Tuesday December the 4th, he was again
brouglit before the council, and, after the torture of John
Nciison of Corsack, of which we h:;vc hr'ard, he was again

192 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

cxamincil by the Earl of Rothes, the Marquis of Montrose,
and several others ; and, being urged to confess, he solemnly
declared that he kne^v no more than he had already confessed •,
whereupon they ordered the executioner to put his leg into
the boot, and proceed to the torture. He received ten or
eleven strokes, with considerable intervals, to the extraordi-
nary compression of flesh, sinews, and bones, all which he
endured with a most Christian patience. Before he got the
last three strokes, he protested solemnly, in the sight of God,
that he could say no more, though all the joints of his body
were in as great torture as that poor leg.

On the 10th of December he and other seven received their
indictments of treason, and were summoned to appear before
the justices on the 12th. But, his torture and close imprison-
ment having thrown him into a fever, he was not able to make
liis appearance, and therefore on December the 1 1th ho gave
in a petition to the lords of council, begging a respite, since
he was neither able to walk nor stand, and seeing his accession
to the crimes with which he was charged was so very slender,
being only simple presence, and that too but occasional, which
was mitigated by his purpose and actual coming off from
them. Together with his petition, thej'e was presented an at-
testation under the hand of seven surgeons, declaring his weak
and sickly condition : whereupon the council ordered two
physicians and two surgeons, viz. Sir Robert Cunningham,
Doctor Hay, James Bortliwick and Thomas Kincaid, to visit
l)im, and return their attestation, upon soul and conscience,
lo tl'.e justices, by 10 o'clock next day. 1 hey were also to
"ive in their attestation concerning; other three indicted with
linn.

But as their attestation did not bear soid and conscience,
and the physicians refusing to rectify it in these terms, though
ihey declared they could confn-m the truth of it by their oatli,
the justices postponed their proceedings against ^Ir Mackaii
and the other two, but appointed John Neilson of Corsack,
though also contained in the attestation, with other four, to
be biought to the bar, when they were condenmed to be hanged
i)n the Fritlay foHowing.

Mr Mackail was brought before the justices on tlie IStli,
with the other three who were arraigned with him ; and being
permitted to speak after the indictment was read, he declareii,
among other things, that he was not ashamed to avow that he
was one ol' that afHicted and persecuted party and persuasion
called Prcsh'ftrrinn. Then he spoke of the ties and engage-
ments that were upon the land to God ; ajul having com-
mended the institution, dignity and blessing of presbyterian
government, he said, that the last words of the nati.)nal co-
1

CHAP. VII. CHURCK OF SCOTLAND. it):;

\'cnant had always great weight upon his spirit. Wlicrcupon
the king's advocate interrupted him, ancl desired he would
forbear that discourse, since he was not called in question ibr
his persuasion, but for the crime of rebellion, in rising in arms
against his majesty's audiority. To this Mr Mackail replied.
That he was moved to speak in the manner he had done, from
that v»eighty and important saying of our Lord Jesus, Whoso-
ever shall confess vie before mcii^ him shall the Son of man con-
fess before the angels of God ,• brit he that denieth me and my
"ccords before men, shall be denied before the angels nf God. As
lor rebellion, he said his accession was only simjile presence
with a sword, and that occasional. The advocate replied, that
not only presence, such as he was charged with, was treason-
able, but all intercommuning or keeping company with rebels,
though for halt an hour only.

Though they could prove no more against him than what
he had owned, yet the jury brought him ill guilty, and he was
condemned to be hanged at the market-cross of Edinburgh,
December 22d, with several others- When he received his
sentence, he cheerfully said, The Lord givetli life, and the Lord
taJceth, blessed be the name of the Lord. And, as lie was car-
ried back to the tolbooth, he said to the lamenting people.
Though men cut us off, God 'will receive us ; trust in God, trust
in God.

Being returned to prison, he immediately spent some time
in prayer, for himself and those condemned with him, with
great fervency and enlargement. Being afterwards asked
how his leg was that had been tortured, he answered with
cheerfulness, < The fear of my neck now maketh me forget

* my log.' After that he said to another friend, ' O how good

* news, to be within four days journey to enjoy the sight of

* Jesus Christ I' and protested he was not so cumbered how
to die, as he had been sometimes to preach a sermon. His
iather got liberty to see him, and their meeting was very
affecting.

On the 20th of December, to satisfy the importunity of his

friends, he gave in tt) the privy-council the following petition :

* Tliat whereas, npon Tuesday last, I was indicted and con-

* demned for the treasonable deeds contained in the general

* and special indictment exhibited against me ; in the which

* special indictment, containing my whole accession to the said

* crimes, there is only libelled presence in several places, with

* an ordinary sword, like a-j my own confession, which is the

* naked truth, doth declare how the same w^as occasional ; antf
< seeing that it was also in some sort purged and retracted,

* by my withdrawing and deserting with the first conveniency,

* wherebj' not only my case appears to be different from thnt

VOL. 1. * N

194' THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VII.

* of Others, but also as favourable as possible can be, next to
' innocence itself, as appeared to many of those gentlemen
' who were upon my assize ; and, seeing the torture I sus-
' taincd, and the ingenuity I then used, as in the sight of God,
' to tlie utmost of my knowledge, desei'vc that favour that was
' at that time insinuated : and that it is expected that his ma-
' jcsty, -ic/iose mercy I heg^ according to his great clemency,
' and the most usual practice in the like cases, will interpose
' his mercy for the rescue of many who are equally with me
' involved : May it therefore please your lordships graciously

< to consider the premises, and to •pardon my great rashness
' and prccijiitajici/i and therefore to indulge such a reprival as
' your lordships shall think convenient, until his majesty's gra-

< clous pleasure anent the premises shall be fully known, at
' least till the commissioner's grace do return And your,' Sec.

N. B. The words in Italic characters were inserted without
his knowledge, when the petition was transcribed by his
friends : however, the petition v.as rejected, and all the interest
made was to no effect.

The last night of his life, being Friday, December the 21st,
lie proposed and answered some questions. As, I. * How
' should he, going from the tolbooth through a multitutle of

* gazing people and guards of soldiers to a scaffold and gibbet,

* overcome the impression of all these ?' To which he answer-
ed, * 1. By conceiving a deeper im})ression of a multitude of

* angels who arc also onlookers ; according to that, We are a

* gazing stock to the xvorld, a7!gcls, and men ,- for the angels,

* rejoicing at our good confession, are present to convey and
' carry our souls, as the soul of Lazarus, into Abraham's bo-

* scm, not to receive them, for that is Jesus Christ's work

* alone, who will welcome them to heaven himself, with the
' songs of angels and blessed spirits ; but the angels are mi-

* nistering spirits, always ready to serve and strengthen all
' tlying believers. 2. As Stephen saw the heavens opened,

* and Jesus standing at the right-hand of God, who then said,

* Lord JesuSj receive my spirit^ so said he, do I believe, that

* Jesus Christ is also ready to receive his dying sufferers.'
II. He enquired, ' What is the way for us to conceive of hea-

* vcn, who are hastening to it, since the word says, JLye hath
^not seen, nor ear heard, &:c. To this he answered, ' The

< scripture helps us these two ways : 1. By way of similitude,

* as Kev. xxj. when heaven is hekl forth by a reinesentation

* of a glorious city there described ; but, in the same place it
' is also termed the bride. But O how unlike are these two,

* a bride and a city ! w hich shews the insufficiency and vast

< disproportion of all such similitudes. And therefore he
^ added; 2. < That the scripture furnisht»th yet a more excel-

CHAP. V^r. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 19^

* lent way to conceive of hcavon, viz. by conceiving the love

* of Christ to us, even the breadth and length, the depth,
» height, and immensencss bf that love of Christ, which pas-

* seth knowledge, and which is alaO the highest isnd sweetest

* motive of praise unto him that loved ks, &e. and by holding

* forth the love of the saints to Christ, and teaching u.s to love

* him in sincerity, which is the very joy and exultation of hea-

* ven, Rev. v. 12. Worthij is the Lamb that was slain, to receive

* pouoer, and riches, and xvisdmuy and strength., and honour, and

* glory, and blessing. And no other thing but the soul breath-

* ing forth love to Jesus Christ can rightly appi-ehcnd the joys

* of heaven.'

He v/cnt to bed a little after eleven, and, rising about five
in the morning, he called liis companion, John Wodrow, and
said pleasantly, Up, John ; you ai-e too long in bed ; you and
I look not like men going this day to be htmged, since we lie;
so long. He spent his time most comfortably in prayer and
edifying discourse. His father coming to him that morning,
his last words, after prayer, and a little talk, were, ' That his

* sufferings would do more hurt to the prelates, and would be

* more edifying to God's people, than if he were to continue

< in the ministry for twenty years.' And then he desired his
father to leave him, else he would trouble him. And, said
he, I desire it of you, as the best and last service, to go to your
chamber, and pray earnestly to the Lord to be with me on
that scaffold : for how to carry there is my care, even that I
may be strengthened to endure to the end.

About two o'clock he and his five fellow sufferers were car-
ried to the scaffold -, his countenance was most pleasant and
serene. When at the flxit of the ladder he directed his speech
northward to the multitude, who heard him with great atten-
tion. His speech is printed in Naphtali, in whieh, amon;^
other things, he said, that he heartily acknowledged his taint-
ing in the day of trial, and in endeavouring to conceal hiy
joining with those who rose in arms iii their own doicnce ;
and farther expressed himself: ' Although I he ]nc]<^cd and

* condemned as a rebel amongst men, yet I hope, even in

* order to this action, to be accepted'as loyal before God.

* Nay, there can be no gi-eater act (jf loyalty to the king, a:*

* the times now go, than for every man to do his utmost tor
' the extirpation of that al)0iinnable plant prelacy,' which i*

* the bane of the throne and rS the country, whieh, if it be not

* done, the thi'one shall never be established in righteousness,

* until these wicked be removed from berbre it. Sure 1 amy

< tiiesc who are "now condemned as rebek against him, bv

* them, are such as have spen', much time in prayer ibr h.ini,
« and do more sincerelv v,-ish his stnndinii', and have cndsa-

196 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VlT.

* vouretl it roore by this late action, so much condemned, than

* the prelates by condemning them to death.'

Having done speaking to the people, he sung a part of
Psalm xxxi. and then prayed with such power and fervency,
as drew tears from many. WJien taking hold of the ladder
to go up, he said, with a loud voice, I care no more to go up
this ladder, and over it, than if I were going home to my fa-
ther's house. And hearing a noise among the people, as ho
was going up, he called down to his fellow-sufferers, saying.
Friends and fellov/- sufferers, every step of this ladder is a de-
gree nearer heaven. Then, having seated himself upon it,
he said, I do partly believe that the nobles, counsellors, and
2-ulers of the land, would have used some mitigation of this
punishment, had they not been instigated by the prelates ; so
our blood lies principally at the prelates' door. But this i-5
iny comfort now, that / knorv mi) Redeemer b'vcth, and that he
<:hall stand at, &c. And now 1 willingly lay down my life for
the truth and cause of God, tiie covenants and work of refor-
nuition, whieh were once counted the glory of this nation :
and it was for endeavouring to d(;fend this, and to extirpate
that bitter root of prelacy, that I embrace this rope (the exe-
cutioner putting the rope about his neck.) Then hearing the
people weep, he said, Your work is not to weep, but to pray,
that we may be honourably borne through, and blessed be the
Lord that supports me. — ' And that you may know the ground

* of my encouragement in tliis work, and what my hope is, I

* will read the last chapter of the Bible.' Which having done,
he said, * Here you see the glory that is to be revealed upon
' me ; a pure river of water of life, 8:c. where the throne of

< God is, and the lamb is in it, where his servants serve him,

* and see his face, and his name is in their foreheads, and the
' Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever

* and ever ; and here you see my access to my glory and, re-

< ward. Let him that is a-thirst come : and ivhosoever ivillj let
' him fake of the tscater of life freely. And here you see also

< my welcome, The Spirit and the Bride say, Come' Then
he said, * I have one word more to say to my friends, (look-
' ing down to tlie scafit)ld) Where arc you .-' You need neither

* lament me, nor be asliamcd of me iu this condition ; for I
' may make use of that expression of Christ, I go to yoxir Fa-
' ther and my Father, to your God and my God, to your King

• ' and my King, to the blessed a})ostles and martyrs, and to

< the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an in-
' numerable company of angels, to the general assembly and

< church of the first-born, and to God llu^ judge of all, and to
*" the spirits of just meu made perfect, and to Jesus the Me-
« diator of the new covenant. And •io I iiid vou all farewell.

CHAP. VII. eHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 197

< for God will be more comfortable to you than I could be,

* and he will also now be more refreshing to me than you can

* be : Fai'cwell, farewell in the Lord.' Then the napkin
being put over his face, he prayed a little within himself: after
which he put up the cloth, saying he had one word more to
say, in order to shew them the comfort he had in his death.
And thus lie said, ' I hope you perceived no alteration or dis-

* couragement in my countenance and carriage ; and as it may

< be your wonder, so I profess it is a wonder to myself; but

* I will tell you the reason of it. Besides the justness of my

* cause, this is my comfort, which was said of Lazarus when

* he died, that the ajigcls did carry his soul into Abraham's
*■ bosom j so that, as there is a great solemnity here, of a con-

* fluence of jjeople, a scaffold, a gallows, ancl people looking
« out at windows ; so there is a greater and more solemn pre-

* };)araLion in heaven, of angels to carry my soul to Christ's
« bosom.' And, after speaking a little to the same purpose,
he concludes thus : * And now I leave off to speak any more

* to Creatures, anil turn my s]-)eccli to thee, O Lord ! And

* now I begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be

* broken off. Farewell father and mother, friends and rela-
' tions j farewell the world and all delights ; farewell meat and

< drink ; farewell sun, moon, and stars : Welcome God and

* Father •, welcome sweet Jesus the mediator of the new co-

* venant ; welcome blessed Spirit of grace and God of all

* consolation -, welcome glory, welcom.e eternal life, welcome

* death.' Then he desired the executioner not to turn him

* over till he should put his own yhouldei's over first, which
« within a little he did, saying,, < O Lord, into thy hands I

* commit my spirit ; for thou hast redeemed my soul. Lord

* God of truth.'

I cannot but here insert a paragraph of an English histo-
rian, in v/hich he says. Were the complete historian sensible
of the pathetic and sublime in eloquence, tliey would own
there is nothing like it (viz. the last words of this martyr, from
farewell, &c.) in whatever they have seen of antiquity ; and it
being a suffering minister's dying words, adds a truth to the
beauty, which cannot be met with in profane learning. This,
adds he, is one of the covenant martyrs, whicli the Scots cu-
rates gave over to damnation, though I doubt not every good
Christian, after reading the divine eKultation of Mr Mackail,
will be ready to say to them, * Be my portion with this good

< man, and take ye your lot with one another.'

Thus died Mr Hugh Mackail, a youth of about 26 years
of age, singularly pious, and of no smnll share of learning.
He had seen the world. Never was a death more lamented ;
for, among all the spectators, there wa.s scarcely an eye thai

lOS THE HISTORY OT TH£ CHAP. VII.

did not run clown witli tears. It is said, that he used to fast
one day in the week, and had frecjuently before this signified
to his li-ionds the impressions he had of his dying in this man-
ner. Kis share in the vising v»as known to be smaU, And
wh.en he spoke or" his comfort an(^ j<>y in death, heavy were
tlie groans of those who were present.

Lord Kolhes the commissioner, being come from court, re-
solved npon a progress through the w< ?t and south, tluit he
might come at tlic bottom of soiue imaginary conspiracy and
plot •, but no discoveries could be made. He came first to
Glasgow, and f)(M:i thence ;o llic town of Ayr, with a com-
mittee of ne^blemen and others, who were vested with a justi-
ciary power.

According]}" the Earl of Kelly, Lieutenant-general Dj'um-
mond, Charles Maitland of Haltoun, and James Crightou
brother to the Earl of l^unifrics, sat dcvvii in judgment at
Ayr on the t.' kh of December, two days after tlie execution
of Mr Mackail. Twelve more ( f the prisonerb were brought
before thcm^ who were found guilty of treason, and ordered
to be executed .at Ayr, L'vine, and Dunifries

Thuvj-day the 27th of December was appointed for the exe-
cution of James Sraitli, Alexander Macmiilan, James INIac-
mill>i, George Maccartney, John Short, John Graham, John
.^luirhead, and Cornelius Anderson, at the town of Ayr.
But the executioner, being unwilling to cmbrue his hands in
ihc blood o{ tlu)se men, got out of the wa\^ And tlie provost
i\oi being able to tnul one that would undertake the hateful
work; proposed that one of the eight should have his life on
condition of cxccuiing the other seven. Accordingly, in the
morning, the magistrates went to ])rison and laid the proposal
before the prisoners. Upon which Cornelius Anderson said,
If the rest woidd forgive him he would do it. They ai?swercd
ifhe did it they shoukl wi>h him repentance and forgiveness.
ITevvas kej^t intoxicate till the execution was over. When
he came ofi"the gibbet, the boys and others stoned l)ini out of
the town. His conscience after this troubled him, evo-y one
Fhunned him, at last he retired to Ireland, where he built a
little house in some common place near Dublin, and there his
liouse and he were afterwards burnt to ashes.

Junus Blackwood and John Maccoul were executed at
Irvine on the '51 st of December. Some of these surterers
were ignorant, .iind very nmch discouraged at the near views
of eternity ; but, by the pains taken by the minister Mr Nis-
bet, who visited them, they died full of joy ami courage, to
ilie admiration of all who were present. John (nier and
M'illiam W'ehJ', the remaining pair of those condemned at
Avr, vcrc e:::-C'.;tcd nt l^umiiici-' on Wcdne^dav ti)e '2u of

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 19!.'

Januaiy 1667. And tliiis, from the 7th of December to the
2d of January, were no less than 34- executed out of 40.

The steadiness of WilHam Sutherland, executioner ai
Irvine, is too remarkable not to he recorded here ; for, when
the executioner at Ayr deserted, nothing could prevail with
him to supply his place.

He came of poor parents in Slrathnaver, tlie wildest part
of the north highlands, and had no education till after he
came to be executioner at Irvine, and then with difficulty he
learned to read English, and took great delight in his Bible ;
and the more he became acquainted w^ith it, the njore he hv-
gan to scruple to execute any, unless he was clear they de-
served to die. When he was pressed to go to Ayr his scruples
increased, because he had heard the prisoners were godlv
men, persecuted by the bishops, whom, says he, I never liked
since I loved my Bible. These words, Heb. iv. lii. made
great impression upon him, so that he was resolved not to
have a hand in that execution.

He was brought from the church before tlic provost of
Irvine, and refusing to go to Ayr, was put in prison till Mon-
day nig!)t, when a scrjeant with six soldiers came from thence
to fetch him ; but, still persisting in his refusal, he was re-
manded to prison till next morning, when they forced him to
go. And, being then brought before the provost of Ayr, ho
continued resolute to have no hand in executing the prisoners,
iiotwithstanding all the promises that were made him ; so tluit
he wiis committed again to prison.

Upon this one Air White, a curate, came to persuade him
to do his oiiice, saying, Do not you know that these men are
guilty of rebellion ? and that rebellion is as the sin of witch-
craft ? to which he answered,^ That the rebellion sj)oke of
there was Saul's rebellion against the immediate commaml
and revealed will of God. In short, h.e so bafHed the curate,
that instead of answering him, he said, Av.ay with thee, the
devil is in thee, and thou hast dealing with familiar spirits.
To which William replied, If the devil be in me, he is an un-
natural devil ; for, if he was like the rest, he would bid me
take as many lives as I could, that he migiit get many souls ;

but the si:irit that is in me will imt sutler me to take cootl

5 1- *'

men s lives.

He was next brought before the Lord Kelly, tlie provost

and others •, and after they had treated and ricliciiled him,

the boots were called for. Then he said, You may brh'ig the

boots and spurs too •, you shall not prevail. Tlscy thercloix;

threatened to pour a cruse full of melted lead upon iiis hands;

but, when they saw how ready he was to receive it, tliey wer;>

a.stcni-ihed. Tlicn Lord Kcilv tiled wl:.,it whctdiinL-'i-id-

200 THE HISTORV OF THE CHAP. VI IT.

do ; but all proved ineffectual. And, observing wlmt perti-
nent answers he gave, the lieutenant-general said, Tell nic,
quickl}', who learned you lhc?ie answers •, I j^erceivc you have
got a }iaper from some of these rebellious ministers, and have
got your answers per-quire. William- said, Not so, my lord ;
hut God, that said, Fear not ; '■^henye shall be brought before
kings and rulers, for mij sake, it shall be given you in thai hour
lihat you shall say. I xvill give thee a mouth and tvisdofit, that
thine adversaries shall not be able to answer : he makes his
promise good to me. Then several gentlemen said, Away
with him ; the devil is in him ; he has dealing with llimiliar
;5pirits. To this he spoke as to the curate. Then the lieu-
tenant-general said. Tell me, quickly, who put these words
in your mouth, else you shall be hanged. To which he re-
plied. ' Even he who made Balaam's ass to speak, and re-

* prove the madness of the prophet ; and marvel not, for he

* that could make a dmnb ass to speak, can much more make

* mc a reasonable creature to speak. It is he that gave mc these
^' answers, and Hkewise forbids me to do this j it is he and no

* other.' Then Lord Kelly .said, He thinks no better sport
than to bring scripture to confound us with it, but you shall
rue it when you are going to bo hanged. To this he answer-
ed, If this confound you, you shall be better confounded yet ;
read ye never that chapter, 1 Cor. i. 36. Hoxi} that not 7nany
•wise men after thejlesh^ not many mighty, not many noble, are
railed ,- but God hath chosen fhejoolish things of thp ivorld to
confound the things that are mighty, Sic. Then said Kelly,
take the devil out of my sight, and put him in the narrowest
l-)iacc of the stocks. At the same time the j-jrovost whispered
bim in the ear, and offered to give him hfiy dollars, and suf-
fer hivn after'.vards to return to the Highlands. But the ho-
nest man answered with a loud voice, ' ^^^lat, would you
« have me sell my conscience ? Where can I fly from God ?

* Ivcmcinber Jonas fled from God, but the Lord found him
' out, and chicked him over the lugs ; so shall lie me if 1 go

* over the light of 0iy conscience.'

lie M-as put therefore in the stocks. Th.en four soldiers
■«rcre sent, and having charged their pieces, brought a cap
to cover his face, and tlireatened lo shoot him ; but finding
him so imdaunted as to open his breast to receive their fire,
one of them said he shall not be shot, but hanged and given
to the dogs. While he was in the stocks, where he sufiered
much, some asked him what he thought of the hishops. His
answer was, ' I truly think the bishops take more on diem

* than Christ did, who was a better preacher than any of

* them ; for he v/ould not meddle with dividing tlie inheri-
' tonce among the brethren — Pic bring a spiritual teacher

CHAP. VII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. £01

« refused to meddle with civil law. But why will our bishops

* sit ill parlinincnt, and <2;o in before carls P I am informed

< tbey sit iuid ride in ])iuliauient, and judge in worldly affairs;

* they have their coaches to ri(le in, but neither Christ nor

* his apostles had theai ; they are lorxls over God's heritage ;

* but our Saviour says to his ministers, The j^rinces of the Gen-

* tiles exercise dominion, bid it shall not be so among you, but:

* he that xvill be greatest shall be servant of all. Tlie bishops

< are like the Scribes and Pharisees, against whom the Lord

* pronounced many a woe. Woe be to you Scribes and Pha-
' risecs, ye love the chief seats in the synagogices, so love our
' bishops the chief scats in parliament. — Woe be to you Scribes
' and Pharisees, for you love to wear long robes, and to be called
\ ofr.icn. Rabbi. The bishops desire side gowns, and a man to

* bear up their tails too, and they think they never get their
' right style, till they be called my lord, and some of them
' .-/^'W grace ; you give grace to a graceless face : they oppress
' th.e poor people to feed their own bellies ; for which the
' Lord pronounces many a woe against them.' Then said
they, Timothy and Titus were bishops. To which he re-
plied, They were preacliing bishops, but not bishops over
whole dioceses. And, as the apostle says, 1 Tim. iii. A bi-
shop shoidd be blameless, the husband of one iv7fe, so I think a
preachino- bishop should have but one flock, &c.

Then they asked what he thought of the king ? He said,
Would yon have me speak treason ? The king is set over us
all by God, and all his subjects should pray for him, and de-
tend his jierson and government, and obey liim in all things
according to the word of God. But I wish his majesty
and all kings may take good heed to the law of the Lord, Sec.

After a good deal of conversation to this purpose, he was
next threatened to be rolled up and down in a barrel filled
with iron }>ikes ; however, he was in nothing terrified by his
adversaries, but continued still resolute, till at last they thought
proper to let him go.

Whereupon Lord Eglinton sent for and examined him con-
cerning v.liat had befallen him, and said. Poor man, you did
well in not doing what they would have had you. To this he
i-e})]ied, ' JNIy lord, you say I have done well, whereas you
' pei'secute them from first to last ; this tells me, in my ex-
' jieriencc, that you go against the light of your conscience.

< Woe v»ill be to yon that go against the light of your con-
' science. Eglinton said, Know you not that I have kept you
from being hanged, and are you telling me that ? . William
j-cplied, Keep me from drowning too, I will tell you the verity.
Thus, they made this poor man feel tJ)e fear of death, though
he escaped the pain of it.

202 THE IIISTORY OF THE CHAP. Ml.

And thus I lia\'e given as particular an account of this
rising, and of the executions that follov/ed upon it, as this
history will admit of. It is not to be expected that I should
offer a full vindication of this rising, and of those vv-ortliy and
excellent persons who syifered on account of it, that having
been frequently done by others *, and as I siiall afterwards
have an opportunity to shew liow far defensive arms are to
be justified. It is therefore sufficient to observe, 1. That this
attempt was no premeditated thing, but entirely accidental,
occasioned by the violent oppressions of the country by the
merciless soldiers. 2. Upon their first attempt they knew
they had nothing to expect but all the cruelties their perse-
cutors could inflict upon them ; and therefore the law of self-
pi-eservation required them to take the best measures they
could for their own security and defence, all :-:..olication to
the king being discharged by the laws then in being. -. It
is plain they had no designs against his majesty's person or go-
vernment ; all tb.ey wanted w^as the redress of their grievances,
the enjoyment of their liberties, and the free exercise of their
religion, as is evident from their treatment of Sir James
Turner, when in their power, from their readily agreeing to
a suspension of arms, and their having, in part, proposed their
grievances, and sent them to the council. 4. A\'lien, in some
respects, they were under terms of accommodation, they were
suddenly attacketl, and obliged to resist force by force, when
no indemnity was allowed them, and, when taken at the en-
gagement, they got quarters and a promise of life ; so that it
was contrary to all rules to be treatctl as they wei'c, after
quarters given and taken ; besides, several who were executed
were not in the action, nor had borne arms, but were only in
company with the rest when going through the country, and
some of them were put to death, merely to gratify sharp's
revenge, contrary to the king's express ordersj-^^iat no more
lives should be taken. 5. All of them owned the king's au-
thority ; so that, if matters be truly considered, they suifered
no so much for their lising in arms, as for their not remnin-
cing their sworn covenant, and refusing to take the dcchira-
tion ; and therefore it is surprising how f Sir George J\Iac-
ken/ie could say in his Vindication, i)age 8, generally, no man
was executed in this reign, who would say, God l)less the
king ; for it is well known that none of these }iersons, who
.suffered at this time, had their life offered to tiiem on that
condition. Tiie persecutors, saith the author of the Memoirs

• See yiis poj'uli vinif/cali.-rr, Hind let looft, £<.c.
I N. D. Sir Gcoige f.'arUeiiEic was one of tlic advocates who ple;ukd for the
Uii\ TL-n prifoncr- wl.o were ix(.ciittd. ,

GHAP. Vir. CKURCII OF SCOTLAND. 20[}

of the Church of Scotland, for b'uch this very thing will pro vl*
them to be, as if they were fond of having it said, that these
men died for religion, and not for being in arms, oi'dcretl
several of them to be oliered their lives if they woukt take
and subscribe the declaration to renounce the covenant.
Whether they did this fraudulently or sincerely. Providence
never gave them an opportunity to discover ; nor whether, if
the weakness of any had brought them to yield, they would
have performed their promise to them ; for not a man tl:ev
ever offered it to, (I moan of those condemned to die for the
rising at Pentland) but refused it with indignation, and cliose
to die rather than to yield to that unconscionable proposal.
So, in that point, tliey gained an undeniable testimony, that
they suffered for religion, not accepting deliverance ; for lior.c
of them estcemetl renouncing the covenant to be any thing
more or less than renouncing God, and his church, to whom,
and for which that covenant was first er.tered into. G. 'Yh.j
very same reasons which vindicate the Revolution 1C8S, v"c
in favour of those who rose at this time-, and, had their men-
sures been as well concerted, and their success been as great
as their cause was just, notin'ng could have been said agaiuit
them. But though the attempt of these worthy men was noc
so successful as that of the Revolution, all that can be said h,
that God's time was not yet come for i*escuing a bleeding na-
tion 7. These valuable persons were fairly vindicated, v.iien-
ever the nation recovered its senses, by the llcvolution-parh-
ment, in the act July 4-, 1690, by which the Ibrfoited per-
sons wore restored, not ex gratia, but ex jmtitia, antl all de-
creets and sentences passed against them, by any judo'es, vrcra
declared void and null Jiom the beginning. And thus I have
given a pretty full account of tliis matter, 'vhich had no small
influence upon the interest of episcopacy in Scotland -, fo;-,
after so great a number of executions prelacy gradually and
sensibly decayed till the Revolution, wheu tiie prelates, liie
chief iustrumonts of cruelty, were at last laid aside as a public
nuisance. Whereas nothing nu)re strengthened the interest
of presbyterians, than the ch.earful and stedfast behaviour of
the sufferers, concerning whom it may be said, The raorr
they icere oppresucc/, the more ihci) grcxu People bega:'*
more generally to leave the churches, and ejectetl mini-
sters ventured to preach a httlc more publicly, particiiiariv
the Rev. Mr John Welsh, whose labours were blessed with
eminent success ; multitudes resorted to hear them, and th?
poor honest people, liy way of ridicule, were called Whig^,
from wigg, the thiii part of milk, v.hich they were ti:)rcc[i r<»
<lrink in their wanderings. Bishop IVurnet gives another
©riginal of this name; he .save, \\v\\ in the ,soi.?t!»^vest couu-

i^Ol' THE HISTORY OF THE" CHAP. Vlll.

ties of Scotland, there is scarce corn enough to serve out the
year, and therefore people repair to Leith to buy of the
stores that come from tlie north. And from a word whig-
ham, used in driving their horses, all that drove were called
W/iiggamores, and shorter, the Whigs, which afterwards be-
came the name of all the patrons of liberty.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Cruelties of Dahiel, S^-c. the Forfeitures of Genilemeyi^
Sfc. The Disbanding of the Armi/, and the Bond of Peace.
Mr MitcheVs attempt on Archbishop Sharp, the Proceedings
of Parliament , the first Indulgence, and other thiiigs, to the
end of the year, 1(369.

QOON after the victory at Pentland, Dalziel, with a con-
^ siderable number of troops, marched to the west, took
up his head-quarters in the town of Kilmarnock, and gricvoiis-
ly oppressed the country. From that place and the neigh-
bourhood was extorted upwai'ds of the value of 60,000 mcrks.
All whom Dalziel suspected were brought before him, and it"
they were not guilty, wxre sure to be held so. He passed
what sentence lio pleased, and tortured whom he had a-mind.
Many upon mere suspicion of being at Pentland, were put
into the thieves-hole, at Kilmarnock, where they were obli-
ged to stand night and day. And one of them, falling dan-
gerously sick, was not suifl-red to go out till two persons be-
came bail to return him either dead or alive. I'he poor num
dying, the surctic^s were forced to bring the corps to the pri-
bon-cloor, where it lay some time till the o-cneral thoui^lit fit
to let It be niterred.

When one Davitl Findlay, of the parisii of Newmills, was
brought before the general, and examined, he acknowledged
that he was by accident at Lanark, when Colonel Wallace
and his men came that way,- but did not join them ; but, be-
cause he would not tell whojn he saw there, Dalziel ordered
him to be shot to death, stript naked, and left on the jilace,
though he was no soldier, nor under his coniniand ; antl
though the poor man begged but one night's time to prepare
ibr eternity, it was absolutely refused iiim.

Another instance of barbarity was acted on a poor wou)an
in the neighbourhood of Kihnarnock. A party of soldiers
ordered her to be put into a deep pit under the house of Dean,
full of toads and other vile creatures, for no other reason but
because a man, whom they were in pursuit oi", had run through
her house, and she could not teil what was become of him.
Her shrieks were heaid at a great distance j but none chu'rit

CHAP. Vril. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 205

intcrceed for her, for four of being sent to bear her coni-
})any. Whetlier she died there, or what became of her, I
know not.

Sir Mimgo Murra\', wlio commanded some soldiers under
Dalziel, having intelligence of two men who had given a.
night's lodging to two of the Pentland people, ordered them,
without any proof, to be bound with cords, and hanged up
by the thumbs upon a tree all night ; so that, in all probabi-
lity, they ivould have died before next day, had not some,
even of the soldiers, been so humane as to cut them down, at
the hazard of their own lives. How sad nmst the case of the
country be, when the army was j^ermitted to exercise such
cruelties upon ]:)oor innocent people ! Meanwhile the poor
whigs, either fled abroad or concealed themselves in dens
and caves of the earth, to escape the fury of the times, tliis
being the severest winter of persecution Scotland had known
for a long time.

Much about this time Sir William Baunantyne was sent
with a considerable party to Galloway, v/here he committed
excessive cruelties, and took free quarters wherever he pleased.
This party came to the house of Roger Gordon of Holm,
consumed his victuals and sheej), though nothing could be
laid to his charge. From thence they went to the house of
Earlstoun, which they made a garrison of, and from whence
they sent parties through the {parish and round the neigh-
bourhood. • And because one David Macgill had, by his
wife's means, escaped in woman's clothes, they took the poor
woman, bound her, and put lighted matches between her
fingers for several hours ; the toilurc made her almost distract-
ed"; she lost one of her hands, and died in a few days after.
They pillaged the country at their pleasure. Some they
brought to their garrisons, though under heavy sickness,
stripped them almost naked by the way, and threw them into
nasty places, without the least accommodation.

The soldiers exacted many fines in the most arbitrary man-
ner. Thus, from two countrymen in tiie pai'ish of Dairy,
they raised about 3GS\. Scots. ' In the jiarish of Carsphairn,
Gilbert Monry in Marbrack, without the least alleged fault,
had filty merks imposed upon him ; and, when he asked the
reason of his being fined, Sir William i3annantyne replied,
Because you have gcar^ and I must have a part of it. Alex-
ander Gordon of Knockbreck suffered exceedingly ; John
Gordon in Carnevcl had his estate worth 16,(J00 merks taken
from him, and hii brother Robert, who succeeded him, had
his house often spoiled by tiie soldiers, and vv^as himself forced
to wander in the mountains. In short, they made all the ha-
voc thev could -, so that the ij:entlcman was forced to retire to

•206 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. ^'Iir.

London, nnd after he returned in 1683, was obliged to keep
concealed till 1687.

In the }>arish of Balmagic, Sir William being in a public-
house, and attempting to commit lewdness with the mistress,
h.c striicic lier husband almost dead tor offering to make re-
sistance ; and a gentleman in company seizing Sir William,
and proving too hard for liim, Bannantync called in the sol-
diers, Avho took the yentlcman, tied him neck and heel, bound
his hands behind his back, and kept him on ihe ground iiv
that posture all Saturday night, and part of the Sabbath, till"
his friends came and gave bond for him. The reader must
observe this gentleman was no Whig, but liad been with the
king's forces at Pentland. Bannantync and his party drank
iu the house most of the Lord's day, and when they could
drink no more, let the liquor run on the ground, and rifled
tlic house. In short, liis oppressions, rapes, adulteries,
murders, &c. were so many, that the managers themselves
Avere asliamcd of him. The reader will find many more in-
stances of this nature in Nap'.ita'i, edit. 1. p. S91, &c. to which
I must refer him.

These hardships continued on the Avest and south of Scot-
land till thcbt^gijniinjTof June, wljcn a squadron of the Dutch
fleet cam.e into the Frith, so that the army was obliged to
march into the oast country to guard the coast.

But many other hardships were put u})on good people by
others as well as by the army. Many werx' imprisoned u])on
mere suspicion, as- James Grierson of Daigoner, and John
Hamilton of Aklstane, and one Carmichael, though nothing
coukl be proved against any of them.

John Gordon of Largmore, with his bother-in -law, William
Gordon of Ilobertoun, being at Pentland, William was kill-
ed, and John sorely wounded ; so that through the loss of
blood, and lying in the fields some nights after the engage-
inent, he died a few days after he got to his own house, and
thereby escaped the fury of the persecutors, who were resol-
ved to carry liim to Edinburgh in a litter. Mrs Mary Gor-
tlon of Robertoun was grx'vtjusly harassed after the death of
her husband and brother, chiefly by the iiv-tigation of the cu-
rate of t!ic jilace. We shall afterwanls meet with more of
the snfierlngs of this family.

The family of SundiwcU suflered no"" a little on this occasion.
James Kirhco of Sundiwell had, during the last si:: years, gone
through a series of oppressions, by fming, quarieriiig of soldiers,
and the like. Last October he was forced to disperse b.is fa-
mily, and to v/aud^r from place to place to avoid the depreda-
tions and cruelties of the soldiers, which made him suspected to
V-ivc bec'.i ?.t Pentlar.d, though that coidd never be msde appear.

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, 207

However, he Vvas forced to leave the kingdom for the space of
three years, and, after his return, he was harassed by a process
of forfeiture ; but a comfortable death put an end to all his
sorrows.

James Maccleland, who succeeded him in the lands of Sundi-
WcU, being only suspected, was forced to fly to the mountains,
when only sixteen years of age, where he and several others
kept concealed from November till the I5th of February this
year, that he was apprehended by a party of Sir William Ban-
nantyne's men, bvou(;ht to their garrison at Earlstoun, and put
in a vault v/ith other prisoners. Sir William most cruelly tor-
tured him with iiery matches beiVv^een his fingers, lO force him
to confess what he v»"^3 entirely ignorant of. In sliorL, he was
carried prisoner from place to place, and at last to Edinburgh ;
and being examined before tlie council in September, he, v/ith
fifteen others, vrsre banished to the plantations, because he re-
fused the declaration. Meanwhile he happily broke prison and
escaped. This gentleman was harassed by processes, fines, im-
prisonments and other oppressions, for many- years. But that
which went nearest his heart of all was his sinful coinpliance,
some years after this, in taking tlie test, of which oath in the
next volume.

James Callane merchant in Dumfries was forfeited, sometime
after Pentland, though it could never be proved that he was
there ; he sustained great losses by the parliament fine, and
other exactions by Sir James Turner. Upon his being de-
clared rebel he left the kingdom, and lived seven years in the
East- Indies ; and at his return he was taken by Claverhouse,
and imprisoned at Dumfries fourteen months, and at Edinburgh
a year and a half, and then banished to Carolina, where he
died. After his death, his wife and daughters, for their non-
conformity, were deprived of their goods, and forced to wander
up and down through the hills and mountains for three years
and a half.

Robert Lenox of Plumpton suffered likewise at this time ;
for his estate, worth 2000 merks yearly, was taken from him,
and he forced to fly into England, v/here he continued as a wan-
derer for three years. At length he went with his family to
Ireland, but, being instrumental in getting a presbyterian mini-
ster settled at Glcnevie, he was excoranaunicated by the bishop
and his official, fined upwards of 430/. sterling, and thereby re-
duced almost to beggary. At last he ventured to Scotland ;
und, though a papist was in possession of his estate, yet he hav-
ing produced the charter of his lands, was put in prison, and
wlien he got out lived upon charity till the Revolution. One
Thomas Lenox of the same place met vdth peculiar hardships,
.both Irofjre and aft?r Pentlan.k Bv cxacli^us and in"!pri;;on-
L

208 THE HISTORY OF TilE cliAP. VIII.

Tjients he lost above oio/. besides a year's crop and his household
furniture, and that without any process. One time he was im-
prisoned at Edinburgh thirty-three weeks, and at another three
months, for refusing the test.

While these things were thus carried on, a convention of
estates met at Edinburgh, oa the 23d of January, in which, as
Burnet relates, the king, by a special letter, appointed Dul^e
Hamilton to preside, and, in a letter to Lord Rothes, ordered
him to write to Sharp to stay within his diocese, and to come
no more to Edinburgh. Upon this, the historian says. Sharp
was struck with so deep a melancholy, that he shev/ed as great
an abjectness under this slight disgrace, as lie had shewed inso-
lence before when he had more favour. Tlie convention, ac-
cording to my author, laid on a subsidy for the army, amount-
ing to 04,000/. monthly, for a year's time, and, in the excess
of their loyalty, oiTered to maintain all the forces the king
should be pleased to raise : so that a blank was put in his ma-
jesty's hand to raise and keep up as great a standing army as
hrs arbitr.iry covnsellors should, for their own ends, advise
him to.

The bishops and their party used all their interest to keep up
the standing army. ' Accordingly, v/hen the convention was
over, Lord Rothes sent up Drummond, as Burnet tells us, to
represent to the king the ill alfections of the v/estern parts ;'
for nothing could be more averse to prelacy tlian they were.
Drummond proposed, as an expedient, the pressing of the de-
claration, and tlie keeping up of a standing army. Burnet says,
' A slight accident haj^pencd, that raised a jest which spoiled
his errand. The king ftung the cover of the letter from Scot-
land into the fire, whicli was carried up in a (lame, and set the
chimney on fire ; wliereupon it v/as said. That the Scotisli let-
ter had fired Whitelmll. And it was answered, Tlie cover had
almost set Whitehnll on fire, but the contents v.ould certainly
set Scotland all on a fiame.'

The king was prevailed with by Lauderdale to send liis Icc-
ter to the council, dated March the 12th, in which he impower-
ed them, 1. To tender the oath of allegiance and the declara^.
tion unto such active and leading persons of the disaffected party
as they should suspect, and to secure the recusants. 2. To emit
a proclamation, requiring all witliin the most disaiTcctcd ■shires
to bring in, by a limited day, all arms and powder, under what
penalties the council should see proper, oidv allowing gentle-
men to v/ear tlieli- swords. 3. To seize all serviceable horses
belonging to disaffected or suspected persons, after being ap-
prised by honest and indifferent persons. 4. To model a militia
of horse and foot to join the regular force:;", that they might
speedily proceed to put the kingdom in a poi'iire of defence.

CHAP. Via. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 20P

5. To provide arms and ammunition for the defence of the
kingdom. 0. To take effectual course that every parish secure
the persons of then- ministers from violence and affronts. And,
7. To give present orders for the criminal pursuit of all heritors,
or men of estates, all preachers and military oflicers, who were
in the late rebellion, before the justice-general, that they may
be tried according to law, and, being found guilty, be forfeited
without cMay.

This letter being read in council on the 20th of March they
appointed a warrant for the advocate to pursue heritors, &c. ia
terms of the seventh article ; and on the 25th two proclama-
tions were published, the one for bringing in of arms from the
shires of Ayr, Lanark, Renfrew, and Wigtoun, and stewartrv
of Kirkcudioright, against the first day of May, and that under
very severe penalties. One pretence for this was, to prevent in-
vading ministers of the gospel who were lawfully admitted
preachers among them. It was added, ' That if any injury or
' affront was done to their minister, the parishioners who shall
' suffer the same to be done, and not oppose the same, shall be
' reputed as art and part of tlie same crime and violence.' So
that if a curate's house should be robbed, his parishioners must
be charged with the robbery. There were but a few arms
brought in, notwithstanding this proclamation. By the other
proclamation, of the same date, all who withdi-ew from public
ordinances, and did not keep their own parish churches, were
forbid keeping horses above 100 merks value. Though this
gave some satisfaction to the prelates, yet it did not fill their
churches ; and, had this been rigorously executed, the king
would have had a good many fine horses from many of the
managers, nay, and from some of the bishops themselves, who
were not very punctual in their attendance on public worship.
That same day they answered the king's letter, acquainting
him with what they had done, and farther intended, as to every
article of it. After which, there does not seem to have been
any more scderunts of council till the 6th of June.

When the council met at that time, a letter from the king,
dated the 4Lh of May, was read, wherein his majesty recom-
mended to them the encouragement and support of the sober
and orthodox clergy. Whereupon a proclamation was publish-
ed, *much of the same import with that of the 25th of March,
wherein heritors and parishioners were made liable for all the
damages done to ministers. That the sober and orthodox clergy^
as they were now called, by their violent persecuting temper,
tx)gether with their immoralities, brought upon themselves the
odium of the people, is very certain, and consequently there
was no other way to support them but by the secidar arm,
from, which all their authority was derived. It was indeed

VOL. I. O

210 . THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

liinted in the king's letter, and asserted in the proclamation;
that many affronts had been given to those sober and orthodox
clergy ; and it was proper, for the designs of the managers,
that such things should be alleged, let the proof of them be
ever so slender.

That same day another letter from the king, of the same
date, was read, pressing, in the warmest terms, the forfeiting of
those who had been in the late rising, and had hitherto made
their escape.

But before any thing could be done in tliis affair, Sir Robert
Murray came from court, to get a true account of the state of
the country, and, in the month of June, was admitted to the
office of Justice-clerk. While he was in Scotland, all pains
Vv'ere talccn, by the prelates and their military assessors, to shew
the necessity of continuing the forces now in pay, there being
a design on foot for disbanding the army. But this was not
thought proper to be put in execution, till once peace was con-
cluded with the Dutch.

Mean while several of the Pentland prisoners were set at li-
berty upon their signing the declaration, and some favour was
shewn to other gentlemen under confmement, such as William
Laurie tutor of Blackwood, and James Hamilton of Aikenhead.
And en the llth of July the council gave the following orders
relating to the Pentland prisoners, viz. 1. That they who re-
fuse the allegiance and declaration be sent, with the first op-
portunit}-, to Barbadoes. 2. That the two prisoners, who were
Avilling to take the allegiance and declaration should have the
king's pardon. 3. That tliey who were taken up upon suspi-
cion should remain in prison till farther examination. And,
4. That these suspected persons should be set at liberty upon
their taking the allegiance and declaration.

After these things, on the I5th of August, the Earl of Athol
ustice-general, and Sir John Plume of Reutoun, justice-clerk,
with the Earls of Linlitligow and Dumfries, held a justice-court
at Edinburgh, before whom Sir John Nisbct, the king's advo-
cate, produced a commission, signed by Rothes the commis-
sioner, for pursuing criminally, and forfeiting, the following-
persons in their lives and fortunes, as being in the late insurrec-
tion in the west, viz. Colonel James Wallace, Major Joseph
Learmont, William Maxwell of Moncrief younger, John Mac-
cleland of Barscob, John Gordon of Knockbrecl^, Robert Mac-
cleland of Barmagachan, James Cannon of Burnshalloch
younger, Robert Cannon of Mondrogget younger, John Welsh

of Star, Welsh of Cornley, Gordon of Garery in

Kclls, Robert Chalmers brother to Gadgirth, Henry Grier in
Balmaclellan, David Scot in Irongray, John Gordon in Middle-
'~ ' ~ John Maciiauglit there.

CHAP. Virr. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 211

Robert and Gilbert Cannons there, Andrew Dempster of Carri-
dow, James Grierson of JDargoner (who was delayed) James

Kirkco of Sundiwell, Ramsay in Mains of Arnistoun,

John Hutcheson in Newbottle, Row chaplain to Scotstar-

bet, Patrick Listoun in Calder, with bis son Patrick, James
Wilkie in Mains of Cliftoun-hall, William Muir of Caldwell,
the Goodman of Caldwell, Mr John Cunino-ham of Bedland,
William Porterlield of Ouarreltoun and his brr^ier Alexander,
Robert Ker of Kersland, William Lockhart of Wicketshaw,
David Poe in Pokelly, and the following ministers, viz, Messrs
Gabriel Semple, John Semple, John Guthrie, John Welsh, Sa-
muel Arnot, James Smith, Alexander Peden, Orr, Wil-
liam Veitch, — — — Paton, John Crookshank, Gabriel Maxwell,
John Carstairs, James Mitchel, and William Forsyth.

Now the reader will observe, that in this list some were
dead, as Mr Crookshank, and others of them had no being ;
nay, several of their names were corrected in the indemnity,
which came down in the end of the year. Besides, all these
persons were absent, and the advocate urged to have sentence
of death passed upon as many of them as he thought fit to pro-
secute ; and, the better to justify this illegal proceeding, having
beforehand practised upon the lords of session, produced their
answer in court to a query he had proposed, viz. Whether or
not a person guilty of high-treason may be pursued before the
justices, though he be absent and contumacious, so that the
justices, upon citation and sufficient probation and evidence,
may pronounce sentence and doom of forfeiture if the ditty be
proved ? To which the lords of session gave it as their opinion,
' That, upon the justices citation, and sufficient probation ta-
' ken before the judges and assize, they may proceed and pro-
' nounce sentence thereintill and forfeiture against the persons
' guilty of high-treason, though they be absent and contumaci-
* ous.'

Things being thus prepared, 'he advocate pursued the fol-
lowing persons, Wz. Colonel Wallace, Major Learmont, Bar-
scob, Mr John Welsh, Mr James Smith, Patrick Listoun, his
son, and Ouarreltoun. It was with difficulty they could get a
jury, and the one they got was made up of officers in the army,
the general's' servants and some papists. Sir James Turner was
the first witness that was examined, though it is plain,' he
could not well * purge himself of malice, and was afterwards
condemned for his oppressions, as we shall hear. Sentence was
pronounced the same day, by which all these eight were for-
feited in life and fortune. Next day, August the 16lh, Wil-

* According^ to the law of Scotland in criminal ca.-cs, before a witneGi be ad-
mittecl, he must swtar that he has no malice against the d'jfeiidant, and that he
has rec.ived no gooJ deed, or promise of good deed, to Twear, &c.

212 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. Vllf.

liam Muir of Caldwell, John Caldwell- of Caldwell younger,
Robert Ker of Kersland, Mr John Cuningham of Bediand,
Alexander Portcrfield, Maxwell younger of Moncrief Barma-
pachan, Montrogget, Robert Chalraer, and Messrs Gabriel
Semple, John Guthrie, Alexr. Pedan, William Veitch, John
Crookshank and Patrick Macnaught, had the same sentence
passed upon thern •, but two years after this Robert Chalmer
obtained the king's pardon. Why the same sentence was not
passed upon Mr Gabriel Maxwell till the 2 2d of December
1(371, cannot now be accounted for. The rest in the advocate's
commission were delayed till the month of November, when it
does not appear they were pros."cutcd, the indemnity and bond
of peace, being before that in agitation. Some time after this
Caldwell's estate was given to Dalziel, Kersland's to Drum-
mond, Learmont's to Mr William Hamilton of Woolshaw,
(^uarrelton's and his brother's to Mr John Hamilton of Hul-
craig.

By this time several civil alterations were made, w^hich tend-
ed to make things run in a moderate channel. In England,
Clarendon's party were losing ground ; and of late a diilerence
arose betwixt Lauderdale and several great men in Scotland,
particularly v/ith Duke Hamilton, Rothes, Newburgh, Lin-
lithgow, Dalziel, the oiHcers of the arm}-, and the most of the
bishops. These who adhered to Lauderdale in tlie counc"l,
were the Earls of Argyle, Tweeddale, Kincardine, Lord Coch-
ran, Sir Robert Murray, and others. Lauderdale had such
interest with the king, as to be able to keep his ground against
all his enemies, and several alterations were made to his ad-
vantage. The Earl of Airly, and Lord Cochran were made
counsellors. Sir Robert Murray justice-clerk. And,

At last, when peace was made Vi'itli the Dutch, a letter,
dated the 13th of August, came from the king, peremptorily
ordering the army to be disbanded, except two troops of horse
and Linlithgow's fool-guards, which was complied with. And
hv this means Rothes's authority as general, as well as his com-
raisoion, was now at an end. The prelates were greatly dis-
satisfied therewith ; and particularly the Archbishop of Glas-
gow was reported to have said, Now, that the army was dis-
banded, the gospel would go out of his diocese.

When the army was disbanded matters were managed with
sonie moderation, and the presbytcrians had a little breathing.
But the tirst question that arose, was. How should the country
be kept in peace without the army ? This gave occasion to both
pirties in the councU to endeavour to the utmost to prosecute
their respective designs. The bishops and their party were for
violcntly pressing the declaration upon all suspected persons.
Tweeddale and the oth^r party proposed a bond of peace to be

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 213

taken and subsciibed hy all to \vhom it should be tendered,
which last carried their point by a majority on the 13th of
September. Of the which bond the tenor follows :

* T A. B. do engage, bind and oblige mjfself, to keep the
' -"- public peace, under the pain of a year's rent of all and

* whatsomever lands and heritages pertain to me, to be paid in

* case I contravene : and also I bind and oblige me, that those

* who are, or at time hereafter shall be, my men-tenants and
' servants, during the time they shall be men-tenants and ser-
** vants to me shall keep the public peace, under the pains re-
' spective after mentioned, to be paid toties quoties^ if they, or

* any of them shall do in the contrair ; that is to say of the pay-
' ment of the full value of a j-ear's duty payable to me for the
' time by the tenant or tenants that shall happen to contravene :

* and for my servants, in case any of them shall contravene the

* full value of a year's fee. Which sums aforesaid I bind and
' oblige me, my heirs, executors, aud successors, in the case
' aforesaid, to pay the commissioners of the treasury, treasurer
' or treasurer-depute, who shall happen to be for the time, for
' his majesty's use. And consent these presents be registrate in

* the books of privy-council.'

This bond became a miatter of warm debate among conscien-
tious people, who feared an oath ; for the words were so gene-
ral, as at first view they seemed to contain nothing inconsistent
with presbyterial principles, yet they were so ambiguous, that
the judge who tendered this bond might affirm, that they who
subscribed it did homologate the present government both in
church and state. To obviate this ambiguity an expedient was
proposed by some, of a declaration of the subscribers sense and
meaning, with a consent of the imposers to it, and a protestation
taken against the supposed unlawful meaning of the words, and
all done by vv ay of instrument in the hands of a public notary,
before v/itnesses. But my author could not tell whether this me-
thod was taken.

They who pleaded for the bond said. That it contained no-
thing but what every person is antecedently obliged to by the
second table of the law, even to keep the public peace. It was
urged, on the other hand, that when two persons enter into a
solemn treaty, they are bound not only to all moral duties lyiug
upon them before, but even to every art .cle of the treaty,
though to their own detriment. Accordingly some took it,
and others refused ; which last were represented by Sir George
Mackenzie, and the Jacobites in after times, as a wilful obsti-
nate people, for refusing such a reasonable thing, as to engage
to keep the public peace. But then it was said in their vindi-
cation, ' 1. That ^hls bond of peace was a confederacy witl^

214 THE HISTORV OF THE CHAP. VIII.

God's enemies, whom we should reckon as our enemies, and
hate them, because they hate him, Psal. cxxxix. 21. 2. This
cannot be taken in truth, judgment and righteousness-, because
of the fallacy and ambiguity of the terms ; for there are divers
kinds of peice, some of duty, and others not. It must then be
peace rightly qualified ; for we can profess and pursue no peace
of confcJeracj with God's enemies, no peace inconsistent with
the fear of God, no peace obstructing the gospel or testimony,
— no peace prompting to preposterous prudence in palliating
sin, or daubing defections with uutcmpercd mortar, no peace
inconsistent with truth, Sec. 3. If we farther inquire into their"
meaning b}- living peaceably, — it is plain they mean such a
peaceable living as gives obedience to their wicked laws, and is
a compliance ^^4th Iheir established couvses ; such a peaceable
living as is opposite to their sense of sedition, rebellion, schism,
&.C. such £ pea'j?'^L)ie living as is contrary to the duties of our
covenanted profession, as ioing to meetings, withdrawing from
the curates, &c. which, accoi'ding to them is inconsistent with
the public peace. 4. This is contrary to our covenants, by
which we are obl'gccl to a constant contending with, and op*
posifion to all the supporters of popery, prelacy, &c.'

The council h;ui likewise ordered some propositions to be
sent to the king : among others, that a proclamation be is-
sued, bearing a general pardon and indemnity to all in the
late rebellion, except tho^?e who v^wc forfeited, or under pro-
cess of forfeiture, or who have since done violence to the per-
sons of ministers, invaded their houses, or robbed them of
their goods. This last clause was inserted to throw an odium
upon all engaged in tlie late rising, although nothing like this
could be proved against any of tlicm. Whereas it was al-
leged, that some of the army personating these people had
been thus employed, and so the innocent were falsely accused.

In con6C({uencc of this an answer came lioni his majesty,
with a proclamation of indemnity to all concerned in Pent-
land, except those mentioned, p. 210, and all others who were
forfeited, or under process of forfeiture, and such as between
this and the first of December next to come shall be found
guilty of having robbed ministers houses, or committed vio-
lence on their persons : but with this express condition, that
this pardon shall only extend to those who shall give bond for
keeping the public peace before the 1st of January following.

Some made this observation concerning the indemnity, that
in the beginning it pardoned all, in the middle very few, and
in the end none at all. The bond they were to give was much
the same w ith that mentioned above, except tiiat they were
likewise expressly to engage, never to rise in arms against or
\yithout his majesty's authority, under the highest pains.

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 21,5

The council on the 9th of October, ordered some alterations
to be made in the names of the persons excepted in the king's
proclamation of indemnity. Thus finding there was no such

person as Row chaplain to Scotstarbet, they ordered

that name to be scratched out, and Caldv.'cU and Kcrsland to
be designed younger, Mr Trail to be designed chaplain to
Scotstarbet, and Paton to be called late preacher ; which are
proofs of their rashness and inconsiderateness. The clause of
non-resistance, in the bond to be signed, by ail who were to
have the benefit of this indemnity, rendered it entirely useless
to the most concerned, for few of them ever could comply
with it.

Jointly with the indemnity, the council published their act
of the same date, containing the names of the persons, in the
different shires, appointed to take subscriptions from those
who claimed the benefit of the indemnity ; and ordered all
the prisoners to be dismissed upon signing the bond. The
same day they took off' the restraint that was upon persons in
the western shires, as to their carrying arms, allowing such as
should take the oath of allegiance, &c. that privilege. They
likewise gave orders to all magistrates and ministers of justice,
upon intimation made by the bishops, to apprehend all persons
who were not only scandalous in their lives, but disobedient
to ecclesiastical authority. In consequence of this, many,
who could not submit to the ecclesiastical authority, as tlion
established, were harrassed and imprisoned, while papists,
quakers, and the openly vicious, were scandalously overlooked.

In November, the council issued some orders for the better
regulating the army, viz. that no officer or soldier shall levy
money from any of the subjects, but by express order in writ-
ing from vSir Willir.m Bruce, for the cess and fines, or others
authorized by parliament, &c. that satisfaction be made for
any abuse, and they who are guilty of any abuse be punished.
But these, and several such regulations, were little looked
after by the managers, and as little observed by the soldiers.

Upon taking the bond of })eace, several who were confined, ~
1665, were set at liberty. Thus Sir Hugh Campbell of Ces-
nock, James Dunlop of that ilk, James Ilolborn of Menstry,
the Laird of Blackston, William Ralstoun of tliat ilk, Robert
Ilalket, and Major-general Montgomeiy, v/erc all released
from their confinement.

Mean while other gentlemen were still kept confined witiioiit
any reason given, such as Sir (?eorgc Maxwell of Nether-pol-
lock, Cuninghamhead and Rowallan. Sir James Stewart and
Sir John Chiesly were sent from the castle of Edinburgh to
the tolbooth of Dundee. Mr Alexander Sniitli was brtuight
from Zetland, (wliither he had been banished;) to Leith, u;i.l

216 THE HISTORY OF THE . CHAP. VJII.

presented before the council. And Mr ITiigli Peebles was
pcrmilted to go to the west to settle his afiairs.

In consequence of a letter from the king, dated the 26th of
November, requiring them to examine into the conduct of
Sir James Turner, during his command in the west, the coun-
cil appointed the Lords Halkertoun, register, advocate, jus-
lice clerk, Cochran, Lieutenant-general Drummond, and Sir
Tvobert Murray, to examine Sir James, and make report.
Their report produced a commission from the council, De-
cember the 8th, to the Earl of Nithsdale, Lord Kenmure, the
Laird of Craigdarroch, and otliers, to make trial of Sir James's
conduct, &c. Before this committee, many gentlemen, and
others appeared, and gave clear evidence of a great many
grievous and atrocious things against Sir James, and thosQ
under his command, which not a little vindicated those who,
by these oppressions, were driven to take arms in their own
defence.

While this matter was under examination, the council, in
the month of December, ordered the clerk to wj-ite to the two
archbishops, to see that a list of all the papists of the kingdom
be given in to the council, by every minister's giving in a list
of those in their respective parishes, that so the laws against
papists might be put in execution. But the prelates had little
zeal against papists, and therefore these orders were generally
neglected -, which could not but tend to the increase of popery,
and to pave the way for a papist to mount the throne.

On the 12th of December a proclamation was emitted
against that known book, intitk^l, Naphtaliy or The IVreslUngs
of' the Church of Scotland, ordering the same to be burnt, and
all C( pies of it to be brought in to the next magistrates by the
1st of February next, and any who had copies after that we>-e
to be fined in 1 0,0001. Scots. This book was composed by
two very great men ; the reasoning part by Mr, altcrwards
S;r James Stunrt of Goodtrecs, one t)f the best lawyers of his
time, and the historical i^art by Mr James Stirling, minister
at Paiiley ; Bishop Honnyman pretended to answer it, but
the v.eakncss of his periormanco was sufficiently exposed by
Mr Stuart, in that useful book, iutitled. Jus popidi vindicattmi.

On the 9th of January, :66S, the council ordered Sir Wil-
liam Cuningham of Cuninghamhead to be brought from the
castle ot Stirling to that of Edinburgli, because of his business
■with the lawyers there ; but, in less than two months time, he
and the Laird of Kowallan were remanded back to Stirling.

Meanwhile, on the IGlh of Jair.iary, the council received
a letiti from the; king, requiring them to transmit an account,
both of those V ho had, .aid those who had not signed the
bond of peace, and of the persons who had been accessary to

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 217

the late rising, and had, or had not, accepted of the indem-
nity, and likewise requiring them to restrain conventicles,
which were called Rendevouzes of rebellion^ and to execute
tlie laws severely against the ringleaders of such faction and
schism.

Jnit before an answer was returned to this letter, the coun-
cil on the last of January, ordered tiie magistrates to execute
the act and proclamation, dated 17th of November 1664-,
against outed or ejected ministers, and to take special care
tliat none be permitted to remain within their liberties without
a licence from tlie council, the Archbishop of St Andrews, or
the Bishop of Edinburgh, and requiring them to take special
notice that no conventicles beJ^ept in the city or liberties.

On the t^Oth of February the committee appointed to exa-
mine into the conduct of iSir .Tames Turner gave in their re-
port, by which it appeared, that, upon informations from the
stewartry of Kirkcudbright, given in upon oath, many illegal
exactions had been made, and disorders committed 5 such as
quartering soldiers for levying fines and impositions ; — exact-
ing cess, or quartering money for more soldiers than were
actually present -, fining such as lived orderl}-, as appears by
ministers' certificates •, — fining fathers for their daughters hav-
ing their children baptized by outed ministers ; — fining whole
parishes promiscuously; — fining one that lay a year bed-
iast J — taking away cattle. Tl)e reader may see the whole
report at large, and the defence that Sir James made in my
author's history ; I have only excerpted these few particulars,
from which he may form a judgment of what case the country
must have been ia when exposed to such oppressions : and, if
such things appeared only Irom the stewartry of Kirkcud-
bright, what addition must have been made to the number of
his disorders, if the like information had been taken from the
shires of Dumfries and Galloway ^

Vv^e niay well conclude that his defences were poor ; for,
wlien the council transmitted the report, together v/ith them,
to tlie king, he ordered him to be discharged his service; ac-
cordingly, on the 10th of March, he delivered up his com-
missions. Bishop Burnet seems to intimate, that he could
have made a better defence than he did, had he been able to
produce his paijers in time. It is certain he affirmed, that
all the commissions and instructions were taken from him by
the rebels, when ho was made prisoner, and that thereibre he
had nothing to shew in his own vindication ; and it was
thought that his Severities were not by far so great as his in-
structions bore him out in.

' This inquiry, says Burnet, was chiefly levelled at Lord
Rothes and Burnet Archbishop of Glasgov/, to cast the odiurii

218 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

of the late rebellion on their injustice and ill conduct. And
it was intendrd that Turner shoidd accuse them ; but he had
no vouchers to siicw. These were believed to be withdrawn
by an artifice of Lord Rothes ; but, before the matter was
ended, they in wliose hands his papers were left sent them
sealed up to his lodgings However, he was by that time
broken, and, being a man of spirit, would not then shew his
voucliersy nor expose his friends ; so that matter was carrried
no farther,' Now, when we consider that it was entirely owhig
to these and the like oppressions, that the poor people were
forced to take arms in their own defence, and that so much
blood was shed, the reader is to judge, whether the punish-
ment inflicted was adequate to the crimes ; whether the break-
ing of an officer or two, without making a publ;c example for
deterring others, was a sufficient rep:'ration for the mischiefs
that were the consequences of iheir conduct.

After the council had sent m. > i ho report against Turner, on
the 27th of February they returned an answer to the letter
they received on the 16tli of last month, wherein they signify
that the bond of peace was generally signed ; that of those
who were accessary to the late rebellion, 218 had accepted his
^Majesty's indemnity, and 300 had refused. And, for the
farther securing the peace of the kingdom, they proposed,
J. That a proclamation be issued, discharging all persons who
would not sign the bond of peace from wearing any kind of
arms, and from keeping any horses above the value of 50l.
Scots. 2. I'hat a farther time be granted for persons to come
in and accept of the indemnity, by signing the bond required.
3. That his majesty may give warrant for a proclamation,
wherein the Jiames of all such of the rebels as shall not then
take the bond may bo inserted, and power may be granted to
-the magistrates to apprehcJid them •, and that all who shall
receive, or harbour them, may be declared rebels. They con-
cluded, by signifying tb.at they can do no more against con-
venticles, and that they would 6ce tlie laws })ut in due execu-
tion ; and ac(jnainted his Majesty with what they had enacted
on the last of January. Accordingly the council had permis-
sion to receive persons upon their signing the bond of peace.

On the 10th of March, when the king signified his pleasure
to liave T'urner dismissed his service, he ordered wSir William
Bannantyne to be taken to an account for his conduct ; ac-
cordingly Sir William was imprisoned, and a committee aj)-
pointed to examine his accounts ; but, as the council came to
no final resolution concerning him till the month of August,
1 shall therefore lay beiore the reader some of the })rincipal
occurrences, in the mean while.

CHAP. Vlir. CHURCH OF SCOTLAKD. 219

Though hitherto there were few field-meetings, yet presby-
terian ministers ventured to preach to considerable assemWIies
in private houses and barns, at the pressing solicitations ot"
the people ; which practice was a great eye- sore to the prelates
and the other managers, who were at all pains to suppress

them : accordingly, May 7 th Miller of Waxford was

fined in 300 merks for being at a conventicle in the shire of
Ayr, and obliged to give a bond for lOOOl. Scots, that neither
he nor any of his family should frequent these meetings for
the future. The same day the council gave orders tor appre-
hending and imprisoning all ejected ministers, or others who
should keep conventicles. And on the 9th of May, all the
officers and soldiers had orders to apprehend the said mini-
sters, dissipate their conventicles, and seize on the principal
persons at such meetings ; nay, and to seize upon any person
they had a warrant for apprehending from a privy-counsellor.
And the better to execute these orders, the fmes were as con-
veniently disposetl of as they could.

The same day, May 9th, the council issued a proclamation,
ordering all magistrates and officers of the standing forces to
seize the following persons, who refused to accept of the in-
demnity, viz.

In Carsphairn parish.
Nathannel Cannon, James IMacniiichel, John, William and
Alexander Macmillans, and John Macmillan junior, James
Mackiiney, John Logan, John Crawford, John Cimingham,

John Hannay, George, James and Macadams, George

Ferguson, David Cubbison, William Smith, John Wylic,
Roger and Robert Malcolms.

In Dairy parish.
David Cannon, Edward, Robert and Andrew Crightons,
James Ferguson, John Macluitcheon, John, James, William
and John Welshes, Robert Wallet, Herbert and James Big-
gars, Thomas Smith, Robert Sinclair, John, Robert and Da-
vid Curriers, Robert Colvin, John Hunter, Jolm ^^^^llet,
John Wright, John Wliithead, Jaaics Macbirnie, John Wil-
son, Andrew Haining, John Gaw.

In the shire of Dumfries.
John Kirkco, James Callane, James Grier, John Grierson,
John Law, William Flarvey junior, George Wilson, John
Gilkerson, James Aitoun, Thomas Robertson, Matthew Fla-
miltoun, Thomas Brown, John and George Jacks, Robert
Rae, Patrick Murrav, Robert Davidson.

220 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIlI.

In Lanark parish.
John Wilson, Thomas and James Hastics, James Fisher.

In Carluke parish.
WilHam Loch, William and John Gilkersons, Wilham
Frame, Archibald, Robert and Gabriel Forrcsts, Thomas
Martin, John Skoullcr, James Armstrong, William King,
Archibald Hart, Robert Smith, William Brown.

As for the pentland prisoners, Thomas Lennox, under sen-
tence of death, was set at liberty upon signing the bond.
Andrew Robertson got leave to transport himself to New-
iMigland. John Bryce, William Ferguson and William
Adam, for refusing to sign the bond, were banished to Vir-
ginia ; nay, the council, a little after this, made a general order
to banish all the prisoners v.ho should refuse the bond, the
king having referred every tiling relating to the rebellion, as
it was called, to their pleasure ; and, at the desire of the })re-
lates, particularly pressed them to rid the kingdom of preach-
ers at conventicles : but, notwithstanding all these severe laws,
conventicles increased.

Mr Michael Bruce, a worthy minister from Ireland, and
one who was not afraid to preach to great numbeis in houses,
and sometimes in the lields, about the 2d or 3d of June was
apprehended, in his own hired house, by Captain G. Erskine.
When he found his house in a manner besieged, he attempted
his escape, but v.as sorely wounded, and confined to the castle
of Stirling. It was the 18th of June before he could be car-
ried to Edinburgh, and, when confined there, none were per-
mitted to speak with him, unless in the presence of a privy-
counsellor. When he was examined, he was always candid
and open, without refusing to ansv.er any question proposed
to him.

Before he was brought to his trial, the council, on the 25th
of June, ordered letters to be directed against Lord Torphi-
chen, and other heritors of Wcst-Calder, and others, to an-
swer for harbouring, instead of apprehending, John Gilchrist,
James Nimmo and Thomas Finlay, who were accessary to tlio
rebellion in 166G. This process, being long in dependence,
brought many innocent peo})le to trouble.

But to return to Mr Bruce. On the 2d of July he was
brought before the council, and, owning that he had preached
and baptized both in houses and in the fields, was sentenced
to be banished out of the three kingdoms, and forced to sign
,1 bond never to return upon pain of death. When about to
Jeavc the kingdom he was ordered to be sent prisoner to Lon-

GHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 221

don, where he was confined to the Gate-house ; and, after
continuing some time there, was sentenced to go to. Tangier
hi Africa. The reader must determine what to think of this
matter. Here, a Scotsman, v/ho had been tried and con-
demned by the council in Scotland, gets a new sentence pas-
sed upon him at London. However, it seems, this good man.
met with some connivance, and retired after all to Ireland.

Notwithstanding these hardships upon jiresbyterian mini-
sters in Scotland, the king this year allowed some breathing
to the non-conformists in England ; and the Earl of Tweed-
dale, in the month of June or July, called for some of the
ejected ministers of Scotland, who were concealing themselves,
and made proposals to them concerning some favour and in-
dulgence he hoped might be procured. The nev/s was very
agreeable ; but the attempt of Mr James Mitchel, a preacher,
interrupted all measures of this kind tor some time.

This Mr Mitchel took a resolution to dispatch the Arcli-
bi.-hop of St Andrews. Accordingly, on the IJth of July,
when Sharp and Honnyman Bishop of Orkney were going
into a coach at the head of the Blackfriars-wynd in Edin-
burgh, Mitchel discharged a loaded pistol in at the north side
of the coach. Honnyman received the shot in the wrist,
which was designed for Sharp. Sharp was so universally
hated, that, though this was done in the high street, and in
full day-light, yet none attempted to seize Mr Mitchel,
who, with great deliberation, went down the wynd, changed
his clothes, and escaped. The cry soon arose that a man was
killed i upon which some replied, It was only a bishop.

This accitlcnt made a little impression on Sharp. Bishop
Burnet says, that he tho'ftglit it decent to go and congratulate
him on this occasion, and tells us, that Sharp said, with a
veiT serious look, 3Ii/ times are tscJioU^ in thij hand^ O thou
God ofviy life. This, says Burnet, was the single expression
savouring of piety that ever fell from him in all the conversa-
tion that passed between them.

A proclamation was issued out, on the 13th of July, offer-
ing a reward of 5000 merks to any that should discover the
actor ; and the same day the magistrates of Edinburgh were
ordered to search the town and suburbs, for all persons con-
cerned in the late rebellion, or who could not give an account
of themselves. The city gates were all shut, except the
Nether-bow, where one of the magistrates was placed, to let
none out whom he did not know, and 100 soldiers v.erc ap-
pointed to give their assistance ; so it was surprising that
great numbers were not apprehended, the town being full of
whigs, and of those who had been concerned at Pentland,
many of whom narrowly escaped, especially William Max-

222 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

well of Monciicf, who escaped their scrutiny by getting under
a meal barrel in the house of one MofFat.

People could not but observe the righteousness of Provi-
dence in disabling Honnyman at this time, who had appeared
most zealous against prelacy when it was designed to be intro-
<kiced, anil yet, being seduced by Sharp with the temptation
of a bishopric, was tlie first who wrote against presbyterian
govei-nment, which he once so keenly espoused.

This affair made a great noise, and the odium of it was cast
upon the whole body of presbyterians, though not one knew
:iny thing of the matter except the actor himself Whether
it is to be justified or condemned, the reader may judge, after
he sees v. hat he offered in his own defence, when brought
to a filial some years after this. But the measures taken
with some, who were noways accessary to it, seem to be very
severe and unjustifiable, as will appear from these following
instances.

Soon after this there was a quarrel between one Mrs Gray
and her servant, who thereupon quitted her service, and went
to Sharp and told him she could inform him of several houses
where the vi'higs usually resorted, and concerning the person
who made the late attempt upon himself. Robert Gray, on this
information, was brought before a committee of the council,
and suspecting what hiis servant had done, owned, that upon
such a day, his cousin Major Learmont, one Welsh, and Mrs
Duncan a minister's widow, had dined with him ; but denied
tiiat he knew any thing of the assassination of the bishop.
Sir John Nisbct the advocate, after some pretended frankness,
took his ring from his hand, telling^ him he had use for it ;
and immediately sent it with a messenger to Mrs Gray, to ac-
(juaint her that her husband had discovered all he knew as to
the whigs, of which that ring was a token that she might do
the like. And accordingly the poor woman, being brought,
before the committee, told more. than her husband had done,
particularly of Mrs Kello, where the Rev. Mr John Welsh
lodged and preached, the foresaid Mrs Duncan and John
Crawford, messenger, who, having notice given him, made
liis escape, but his wife and the other two were apprehended.
Mr day upon this broke his heart and died. Mrs Duncan,
wlien before the council, was threatened with the boots, and
had been tortured with them, had not Lord Rothes intcrpo-
sed, and told them, that it was not proper for gentlewomen
to wear boots. Mrs Kello confessed that Mr Welsh had
preached in her house : she was fined in 5000 mcrks, order-
ed to be banished with the otl'.cr two, and continued in pri-
son a Jong time ; and it was with no small difficulty they were

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 233

at last set at liberty, after Mrs Kello had paid a good part of
her fine.

About this time some soldiers, going from Edinburgh on
pretence of searching for the assa^fsins oi' the bishop, appre-
iicnded one Mr John CHlon iiiiuister at Cavers, who had gone
to Curry, a few milus from the town, for the recovery of his
health, and made him run the most of the way before them,
for the space of four miles, to the West Pert of Edinburgh,
where he was forced to stand some hours before the gate
could be opened. When he was, t!ie next day, brought be-
fore the council, and nothing being alleged against him, he
was dismissed to his chamber, but was so excessively fatigued,
that he died in forty-eight hours.

On the 23d of July, Mr Alexander Smith was ordered to
be transported to Orkney, and required to confine himself to
the island of North-Ronaldshaw. Several other ministers
were imprisoned in Forres, for preaching in their own
houses, and keeping conventicles in Moray, as Mr Thomas
Hog minister at Kiltairn, Mr 1 homas Urquhart minister at
, and Mr John Mackilligen minister at Alves.

Another method used at this time against conventicles, was
to oblige the magistrates of burghs to give bond to })ay acei'-
tain sum if any conventicle was kept within their jurisdiction,
and ordinarily they were refunded from the persons they
could apprehend. Accordingly, on the 29th of July, the
magistrates of Edinburgh gave a bond to the council to pay
501. sterhng, if any conventicle should be tbund within their
privileges ; and this practice was for some time renewed at
every election ; but, notwithstanding all these efforts to sup-
press them, they increased the more.

About the end of July, Mr John Wilkie, some time mini-
ster at Twinham in the south, an old infirm man, having
come into Edinburgh for his health, was imprisoned, and
then examined, first before a committee, and afterwards be-
fore the council, on the 29th. Upon his examination he de-
clared that he was no-ways accessary to the attempt upon the
bishop, and that he only exercised in his own family, which he
did daily. He was asked, whether he invited any to his fa-
mily exercise. He ansv/ered, he invited none, nor debarred
any. And when they said, that they supposed he was clear
to admit all that came to his family-worship, he replied in
ihese'words, Yes, my lord, you should be welcome, and the
archbishop of St Andrews should not be debarretl. In short,
the only thing against tliis good man, was his expounding tiie
scripture, singing and ))raying in his own family, and in two
or three others. Nevertheless, he was ordered to be confined
to Cupar of Angus within ton days, after he should be let out
I

224« THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

of prison ; but, not being able to travel so far, he remained
in prison for some tinic^ and at la^t his con'inemeut was al-
tered, first to Moffat, and then to Miisselburglu

Meanwhile, the council met on the 4th of August, when
Sir Jame:; Stuart was ordered to be made close prisoner in
Dundee, and Sir Joim Chic^iy in the tolbooth of Perth ; aVid
orders were sent to the captain of the castle of Stirling to put
Cuninghanihead and ilowallan in distinct rooms; and Sir
George Maxwell of Nether- Pollock, was ordered in eight days,
to enter himself prisoner at Kirkcaldy, under the penahy
of 5001. sterling, but next day his place of confmemcnt was
fixed to the castle of Stiding. The same day, James Ander-
son, John AVright, and Robert Grier, were banished to Vir-
ginia, for being at Pentland. And at the same time, the
council fined Sir William Bannantyne of 2001. sterling; and,
as he had given security for his removing from the kingdom
by the 1st of September, they freed him I'rom all other pains
and punishments. This was justly looked upon as too mild
a sentence^ considering the horrid extortions, hlthiness, rapes
and cruellies, he had been guilty of; for, besides what has
been above related, lie made great fires and laid down men
to roast before them, when they would not, nor could not
give the uioney lie desired, nor give those informations he
■wanted. He was barbarous to one gentleman in Galloway,
sup})osed to be Gordon of Largmore, who through the
■wounds he received at Pentland, and the hardships he endur-
ed before he got to liis house, fell sick, and was at the point
of death when orders came from Bannantyne to bring him
dead or jili'.e. lie raised himself a little on his bed, and told
those V. ho v.'cre sent, that he now defied Sir William, and all
liis persecutors, whom he forgave, since in a little he would
be in better ccmpanv. I laving said this, he leaned down, and
in a few minutes expired.

Bannantyne, upon this sentence went to court, and put
tlie best face he could upon his afiairs ; however, he was Ibr-
ced to leave the king's dominions, and accordingly, he re-
paired to the army then in the I^ow Countries, and served at
the siege of Grave, v/here a cannon ball came and drove his
heart at some distance from his body, which, my author says,
was answerable to a wicked Imprecation he commonly used.
So that however mild the sentence was, that was passed upon
liim, yet vengeance would not sull'er him to live.

When Turner and Bannantyne were thus prosecuted, ho-
nest people began to hope th.at now tliey might lay their
g'rievances boibre the council : but when John Ferguson, oiie
of tlie magistrates of Ayr, gave in his complaints against
William Cuningham the provost, and had been at great

CHAP. Vlil. cniiHCH OF SCOTLAND. 2'2a

cliarges in biingiiig above forty Avitnesscs to prove hrm guilty
of many violejices and oppressions, he %vas told by some of
the council, that unless he dropt his prosecution, the declara-
tion would be put to him ; and, not being able to comply with
this, he was forced to hold himself quiet.

Upon a false, alarm of another rising, the council, on tho
]'2lh of August, gave orders to tlic Earl of Linlithgov/ to as-
semble the ibrces and disperse the rebels ; and on the 3d of
JSepten^.ber, Lieutenant Mungo Murray was sent with sixty
liorse, and another party under one Cockburn, to search for
and apprcliend any rebels in arms : however, there was not
the least ground for any of these fears. It w^as about this
time that Robert Cannon of Monldrogat, who was always
excepted out of the indemnity, was apprehended ; but be-
ing seduced by the manogers, he afterwards acted a very ill
part.

In the month of November several concerneil in Pentland
were admitted to take the bond ; and Robert Chalmers, (who
was afterwards pardoned), William Millar, and William Mur-
doch, were banished. Job.n Denholm was banished to Tan-
gier, for receiving some of the others one niglit in his house-
William and James Welshes, in Irongray, whose names were
wrong inserted in the proclamation. May the 9th, were dis-
missed upon signing the bond of peace.

On the ^3d of November, the couTicil being informed
against Mr Daniel Cargill, for coming to Edinburgh and
other places, at his pleasure, since he was confined to the
north side of the Tay, appointed him to appear before them,
on tho 11 In of January next. His only crime was coming to
Edinburgh, without licence, after six years confinement. But
when he appeared, and was heard in his own vindication, he
was dismissed, and on.ly ordered to remain within the bounds
of Ids aj^pointment.

The year 1GG9, which I am now entering upon, was re-
riiarkable for the indulgence granted to several of the ejected
ministers ; but as the king's letter upon tliat subject did not
come down before the middle of July, it v.illbe pro})er to men-
tion the most remarkable occurrences preceding that event,
in the order wherein they haj^pened.

We took notice of the council's letter concerning sending
in lists of the Pajiists. Accordingly, on the 4th of February
this year, some libts were brouglit in •, but the council record-
ed that many were wanting, lor th.e zeal of the times ran in
anotlier channel.

The hardships of tliose concerned at Pentland were still
continued, and all pains were taken to discover such of them
as had retired to ]:c1:;rd. Accordin.<;lv John Cuninoluim ( f

vol.. :, P

226 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. Vlfl*

Bedlane was appiehoncled there. The council being infbnn-
ed of this, on the said 1th ot" Febru;iry ordered the magis-
trates of Ayr to receive him as prisoner. Vv lien he was
brought over, he was committed to prison, fii'st at Glasgow,
then at Stirling Castle, and after that in Dunbarton, where he
c outinued a long time.

The west country gentlemen met with some favour ; for,
on the 2.)th of February, Sir George Maxwell got liberty to
transact his aftaij's for some time in Edinburgh, and had Jus
liberty continued from time to time, till the month of June.
The same day, Sir William Cuningliam was allowed to rc-
{)air to his house till the middle of March. However they
were remanded to })rison after the time of these favours v.as
expired

The persecution for conventicles still went on ; for th.e
council being informed that Mr David Hume, late minister
at Coldingliam, had preached at a conventicle, in the house
of Mrs Paton, a widow gentlewoman in Edinburgh, on the
'Jd of March, fined the magistrates in the sum of 501. sterling,
according to their bond. And the same day small parties of
soldiers were sent to quarter ni Glasgow, Nev;niills, Mauchlin,
and Kilmarnock, to suppress conventicles there, and a party
was ordered to Inverness to keep the Presbyterians in a^c
in that part of the country.

The better to find ont conventicles, an act of council was
made, on the 4th of March, discharging all persons iVoni
having iheir children baj^lized by any otiicv than tlieir own
parish minister ; and signifying that every heritor, who should
act otherwise, should pay the fourth part of his yearly valued
rent, each teixant lOOl. Scots, and six weeks iin'prisonment,
and each cottar, or sub -tenant, 201. Scots, and the like impri-
sonment. The reason given for this act was, because baj)tisni
otherwise administered was a scandal to the IVotestant reli-
gion, and tended to the inciease of Po})ery, schism and pro-
linieness. But where the scandal upon the Protestant religion
consisted in children's being baptised by persons not autho-
rised by a prelatical chiu'ch, must be left with the reader.
And it is an indubitable fact, that popery and profancness
never increased so much in Scotland, since the Reibnnalion,
as under this period, when j^irelacy was established.

This act was ordered to be published throughout the shires
of Eanark, Renfrew and Ayr, and the stewartry of Kirkcud-
bright, and tlie connnissioners of the milifia were ordered lo
inform ihemsclves of all conventicles and disordtily baptisms,
-ince last November, tliat those who sliould be 'foimd guilty,
v.jiether ministers or hearers, might be prosecuted ; and in-
fitructious were sent to tlic shoriiis and their deputes, in the

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 227

western shiros, as to tlie niannei' in v,-liich they were to pro-
ceed against non-contbrmii:ts.

The same clay the council ordered more soldiers to the
west, doubting ))erhaps that the militia would not be zealous
enough in prosecuting their neighbours. And James Row
and George Mosinan, merchants in Edinburgh, were fined,
the first in lOOl. and the second in 200 merks, for being at
Mrs Paton's conventicle, and John Row, agent, in lOOl. for
the same crime, and threatened with banishment if ever they
should be found at another ; and in the mean time they were
imprisoned till they paid their fines.

About this thne collectors of the fines for non-conformity,
ajipointed by law, were named, and sent to those places where
con\enticles wci'e most frequent ; and, the better to encou-
rage these publicans and tax-gatherers, they had 500 merks
a-piece from the council •, however, their reign was short, con-
tinuing only to tiie first of June.

But the archbishop of Glasgow stirred up the Lord Coch-
ran to harrass the presbyterians in his diocese ; and accord-
ingly his lordship ordered jMajor Cockburn to summon, be-
fore a committee of noblemen and gentlemen at Ayr, several
ministers whont the bishops alleged had acted contrary to law,
and prcacl;ed and baptized ii regularly ; such as Messrs Wil-
liam Fullerton, late at St Quivox, John Spalding at Dreg-
horn, Alexander Blair at Galston, Hugh Archibald at
Evandale, James Alexander at Kilmacolm, Andrew Dal-
rymple at Auchinleck, John Hutchison at Maybole, James
Veitch at MaucRlin, Hugh Campbell at Riccartoun, John
Gemble at Symingtoun, and John Wallace at Largs. When
the major came with his men to some of their houses, he com-
pelled them to give bond for their appearance, without pro-
ducing his warrant, and most rudely treated the families of
others, obliging them, to leave their houses in twenty-four hours,'
to their great detriment and loss. The council was so sensi-
ble of this, that Mr Veitch and Mr Blair, were' allowed SCO
merks lor their losses.

All the ministers appeared before the meeting at Ayr, and
answered the questions put to them, with that meekness and
candour, that most of the members were for dismissing them.
But, the archbishop wanting 'to get rid of these good men,
Cochran prevailed to get them cited before the council next
week at Edinburgh. They obeyed, and appeared before a
committee of the council on the 6th of April, and all franklv
acknov/lcdgcd they had preached, and admitted-more to hear
them than their own families, and promised, that, ibr the
future, they would behave peaceably and sobei-ly, as they
liad always done, and as became ministers of the gospel :

-28 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

tlicn tliey subscribod their answers, upon wliicli tlicy were
dismissed, and ordered to appear bclbre the council on the
cightli.

Being then called in, the lords told them, that they de-
ferred passing sentence at this time, but declared that, it' any
of them should afterwards keep conventicles, they should be
jnmished as the law directs. Upon this Mr Fullerton» as had
been concerted among themselves, desired liberty to speak ;
which being granted, he delivered himself thus :

Mt/ Lord Chancellor ,
^ "1717 E have already — confessed — what hath been our car-

* " ♦ riage, and — that as, in all our actings, we have
» carried with due respect to authority, as it became the mi-
^ nisters of tlic gospel, so we resolved to continue : and it is
» no small addition to our sufferings, that we should be — look-

* ed upon by any as justling with authority. Yet, considering

* that it hath been, in all the ages of the church, the case of
\ the Lord's faithful servants, irom which our Lord himself
' was not exempted, to be slandered as no frientis to Ciesar,

* we need not think it strange ; for our witness is in heaven

* — that, as we desire to give unto God the things that are

* God'sy so also wdo Cwsar the thiiigs tJiat are Cccsars. — For

* we jiulge the fearers of God are the only loyal people in the

* world, only our loyalty is with subordination to our Lord

* Jesus Christ, who is King ofl-ings, and I,ord oj'lords, — and

* under him to the king's majesty and inferior magistrates,

* and in this line of subordination we shall deny nothing to

* the king that shall be demanded. — And, withal, our loyalty

* is not founded upon intrinsic grounds, or self-principles and
' motives, but allenarly upon the basis of conscience. — Hence

* it was, that, when the royal iamily was in a low condition,
** wc lay in the dust, and poured out our supplications to God

* in behalf of the king's majesty. —

* And now, seeing we liave received our .minifetry from Je-

* sus Christ, and must one day give an account to our Master,
' hov.' we have performed the same, we dare luive no liand in
' the least to unminister ourselves, yeft, the word is like a fno

* in our bosom, seeking for a vent. And seeing, under the

* force of a command from authority, we have hitherto ceased
' from the })ub]ic exercise ol" our ministry, and are wearied

* with forbearing, — it is our liumble supplication to your
' lordship, that you would deal with the king's maji'^ty in our
' behalf, that at least the iiululgeuce granted to others of our
' way, within his dominions, may be extended to \n also.
' Next, that Mr Nathaniel Fife be inhibited to meddle with
' us, — and that v©u would do somethinj^ or other for the

VIIAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. '22J>

' ease and relief of the poor oppressed people in our country,

The council-house was ver}' full, and all were very atten-
tive, so that at this time these ministers were dismissed. They
went home and preached in their own houses ; and thus the
archbishop was disa}ipointcd ; and Cochran is reported to
liave said in a pet, The ministers shall turn all upside down
before I meddle with them again.

But though these ministers were thus dismissed, yet that
very day, April the 8th, the council issued a proclamation
-against conventicles, declaring that every heritor in the shires
of Lanark, Renfrew, Ayr, and stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
upon whose estate any such shall be kept, should be fined in
the sum of 501. sterling. There was no limitation nor re-
striction. Notwithstanding whereof, ministers did preach, and
the people received the word with all readiness of mind. —
Burnet says, this was plainly against law, for the council had
no power, by their authority, to set arbitrary fines.

In the months of jNlay and June, several ministers wei'c
brought before the council ; however, as thc}^ generally were
not prosecuted, I shall not mention them. But, on the 3d of
June,^the council gave a commission to the archbishop and
jjrovost of Glasgow to make inquiry, who were present at a
conventicle lately kept in that city ; for Mr James Hamilton,
late minister at Blantyre,had been informed against for })reach -
jng in his own house

Next day Mr I'homas Wylie obtained his liberty, upon
giving bond to appear when called ; and by this means seve-
ral of the ministers and others got out of their long confine-
ment.

On the lOdi of June, Robert Gibson, Robert Paton, Ro-
bert Harper a.nd William Cuthbertson, were ordered to be
transported for being at Pentland, as were several others,
whose names I knov,- not.

Mr Hamilton, just now jnentioncd, was sent in prisoner to
Edinburgh, and, without being in the least damped, owned,
before a committee of the council, that he had j)reached in
his own house at Glasgow. And, when they spoke to him ol"
the bishop's lenity and favour, in permitting him to live so
long in Glasgow, he replied, That it was easy to speak ot
lenity and favour ; but he was assured he had not so much
liberty and favom- as Paul enjoyed under a violent persecut-
ing heathen at Rome, where he remained t'joo yocas in his o-jon
hired house, and preaclied the gospel, and none was forbid to
come to hear him ; v.hereas the honest people of Glasgow
and liimself, had been frequently threatened if they did not
forbear. And, v.-hen thev.wanted him to give bond to preach

230 , THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

no more this way, he said that lie had his coniniisbion ironi
Christ to preach the gospel, and he would not lay himself
imder any restrictions, wliatever force others might bring him
nnder. The chancellor asked hiui wherg his connnis^ion was.
He answered, Matth- xxviii. 19. Go teach and baptize. The
chancellor replied, That is the apostles' commission, Do you
set u}) for an apostle.^ No, my lord, said he, nor for any ex-
traordinary person either ; but that place contains the com-
inission of ordinary ministers of the gospel, as wqW os extra-
ordinary ambassadors as the apostles were. Ivjr Hamilton,
adhering to all this before the council, was, on the 21th of
June, ordered to be kept in prison till he gave security not to
exercise his public ministry ; and a general ruk) was made
that all ministers who should be apprehended, on account of
conventicles, should be served the same way, which hindered
ministers afterwards to appear when summoned ; and this
paved the way for denouncing and intercojninurdng of mini-
sters, or declaring them out laws. Mr Hamilton, after his
licakh had been greatly impairccj, was, by the interest of Ro-
bert Hamilton of Silvertoun-hill, set at liberty, upon giving
bond for 1 000 merks to appear when called.

Rut by this time the inchilgence was expected, and the bi-
shops, in order to prevent onj ])ari of ir from taking place,
viz. the 400 merk^ from the non-indulged, got, it seems, the
council, on the 8lh of July., to appoint a coma)ittee to exa-
mine into the vacant stipends, which, bj act of parliament,
were ordered to be applied for the increase of the stock of
rniiversities.

Whether the indulgence that was novv in agitation, wi^s
by the first proposers of it, as it is very probable, designed to
divide the presbyterians among themselves, I shall not .deter-
mine, Burnet says, that the people fell oficntirely from all the
cj)iscopal clergy in the western counties, and a set of hot fiery
young teachers went about among theui inlVming them still
more and jnore ; so that it was necessary to find a remedy
lor this. If the people were inflamed, it was by the irregular
and cruel behaviovu- of the prelates, etc. and not by any liot
fiery young teachers, as that historian is pleased to say.
' Leighton proposed that a treaty should be set on foot for
nccommodating dilTcrcnces. Bi;t this not being agreed to,
the Earl of Twecddale proposed the granting to some of the
ejected ministers leave to go and serve in those parishes, by
an act of the king's indulgence.' Leighton was against th.is.
Burnet says farther, that Mr Mitchcl's attemjit upon Sharp
made him turn his thoughts to more moderate measures ;
and, being called to court, he, in general terms, approved of
the methods of gentleness and moderation then in yogue.

CHAr. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. *2 3 1

When he came back to Scotlatnd, he moved in council that
an indulgence might be graiited to some of the public resolu-
tioners witli some restraints, such as, that they, should not
speak or preach against cpiscojiacy, though he could not but
know that such limitations would not be couiplicd with.
However, this author tells us, that the letter he (Burnet) sent
to the Lord Twecddale, giving a long account of the state of
the country? and advismg to put some of the more moderate
prcsbyterians into the vacant churches, gave the deciding
stroke to this affair.

Mr Wodrow says, that the Earl of Twceddale had at this
time frequent conferences with son.e presbyterian ministers,
particularly Mr John Stiihng, Mr Robert Douglas, and
others, and prevailed with them to send up a letter to court
to be a handle to their friends at London. Tweeddale went
to court, either with this or soon alter, and found his work
the easier, that the prcsbyterians in England were at present
connived at in their meetings ; so that his lordship, on the
15th ol' Jiily, presented to the council the following letter from
the king.

CHARLES R.

* 'W^ IGHT trusty and right well-beloved cousins and coun-

* ^^' sellors, we greet you well- Whereas, by the act of

< council and proclamation at Glasgow, in the year 1662, a

* considerable number of ministers v/ere at once turned out,

< and so debarred from preaching of the gospel and exercise

* of the ministry, we are gi'aciously pleas;etl to authorise you,

* Gur privy-council, to appoint so many of the outcd ministers,

* as have lived peace.ibly ar.d orderly in the places where they

* have rej^itlcd, to return and preach, and exercise other func-

* tious of the ministry in the parish-churches where they for-

* mcrly resided and served (provided tliey be vacant) and to

* al! ^w patrons to present, to other vacant churches, such

* otiicrs of them as you shall aj)prove of; and that such of

* these ministers as shall take collation froui the bishop of the

* diocese, and kteji presbyteries and synods, may be warrant-

* ed to lift their stipends as otlicr ministers of the kingdom :
' but for such as arc not, or shall not be collated by the bi-

* shop, that tliey have no warrant to meddle with the vacant
« stipend, but only to possess the manse and glebe; and that

* you aiipoint a collector for these and all other vacant stj-

< pends, who shall issue the same, and pay an yearly main-

* tenauce to the said not collated ministers, as you shall sec fit

* to appoint.

* That all who are restored, and allowed to exercise the
« mini^;try, be in our jnmic and by our authority, enjoined to

232 THE liJbTORY OF TUK CHAP. ViJI.

« constitute and keep kirk sessions, and to keep presbyteries

* and synods, as v.as done by all ministers before 1638. And

* that such of them as shall not obey our command in kec^i-

* ingpresbytcries, be confined within the bounds of the parishes

* where they preach, aye and while they give assurance to keep

* presbyteries for the future.

* That all who shall be allowed to preach, be strictly en-
' joined not to admit any of their neighbours, or any other

< parishes, unto their conmiunions, nor baptize their children,

* nor marry any of them, without the allowance of the m.ini-

< ster of the parish to which they belong, unless it be vacant

< for the time. And if it be found, upon complaint made by

* any presbytery lo you our privy-coimcil, that the peoj)le of

< the neighbouring or other parishes resort to their preaching,

< and desert their own parish-churches, that according to the

* degree of tlie offence or^disorder, you silence the minister,
' who countenances the same for shorter or longer time, and,

* upon a second complaint verified, that you silence again for

* a longer time, or altogether turn out, as you shall see cause ;
' and, upon complaint made and verified, of any seditious

* discourse or expressions in the pul})it, or elsewhere, uttered

* by any of these ministers, you arc immediately to turn thetn

* out, and farther punish them according to law and the dc-

* gree of the offence.

* That such of the outcd ministers ^'ho have behaved pcace-

* ably and orderly, and arc not re-entered or presented, as a-

< foresaid, have allov.ed to them four hundred merks Scots

* yearly out of the vacant churches for their maintenance till

* they be provided with churches •, and that even such who

< shall give assurance to live so, for the future be allowed the
' same yearly maintenance.

< And seeing by these orders, wo have taken av.-ay all prc-

* Icnces for conventicles, and provided for the want? of such

* as are and will be peaceable, if any shall be found hereailcr

* to preach without authority, or keep conventicles, our ex-

* jiress pleasure is, that you proceed with all severity against

< the preachers and heavers, as seditious pcr;,ons and con-
» tcmncrs of our authority. So leaving the management of

* these orders to your prudence, and recommending them lo
•■ your care, we bid yoli farewell. Given at our court at White-
'■ hall, June 7th, 1669. * Bv his Majesty's connnand.

LAUDERDALE.'

"Whether the followiiig ivmarks, which have been made
upon tliis letter, are just and well grounded, must be left with
the reader : 1. That the civil magistrates take upon ih.em to
denose ininistcrs irom, and restore them to the exercise of

CHAP. Mil. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 23S

their ministry, as tliey see proper, and to what places they
judge convenient. 2. Tliis letter says, That certain ministers
were turiied out and deprived of the exercise of their mini-
stry by an act of council, and now the king gives authority
to the council to restore them ; and consequently all the
power granted to the council to act in this affair was derived
from the king alone, and therefore the indulgence itself was
the effect of the supremacy. '^. 'J'hat the )ninisters to be in-
dulged were laid under unlawful i-estrictions, particularly to
use no seditious discourses or expressions in the pulpit, or
elsewhere, which all preaching or speaking against prelacv
and the ecclesiastic supremacy was then accounted : that un-
less they keep presbytei'ies and synods, viz. those held by the
bishops, they must be confined to the parishes where they
•preach : that they were not to admit any, except those of
their own j)arishes, to partake of the ordinances, unless those
who belonged to vacant parishes, under high penalties, &c.
i. That the design of this favour to be granted to some mi-
nisters was to prevent others from pi-caching to any but their
own families •, for, says his majesty, by these orders we have
taken away all pretences for conventicles. 5. That the 400
merks, mentioned in the last j)aragraph save one, was seldom
made good. Now, how far they Avere to blame who com-
pHed with the indulgence, is not for me to determine ; the
reader will afterwards hear what some said in their own de-
fence for refusing to accept it. See tlie History of Indulgence,
p. 5, 6, &c.

Wh?n the above letter v/as read in council, it met with a
good deal of opposition ; so that the favour mentioned was de-
layed for some lime, and a committee was appointed tb consider
the contents of it, to pitch upon tlie ministers to be indulged,
and to make drauj^hts of the acts of council relating to this mat-
ter. And the 'bishops and others of the clergy met in the mean
time to hizider it;s taking place as much as possible. They
could not prevent it altogether ; but Sharp, who was a complete
master of dissimulation, to comfort his brethren, promised to
make it a bone of contention : and, as I have hinted, this seems
to have been tlie design of it.

About this time a proposrd was set on foot for uniting the
two kingdoms. ' Tlie king, says Eurnet, liked it very well,
because he reckoned, that at least in his time he should be sure
of all the members that should be sent from Scotland. The
Duke of Buckingham went in easily to a new thing, and Lord-
keeper Eiidgman was much for it. Lord Lauderdale pressed
it A-ehemcntly ; but then this affair made it necessary to hold a
parliament in Scotland, where he intended to be the king's
commissioner.'

-234 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VIII.

According! J, on the L'Ah of July a proclamation was issued
for calling a new parliament ; and care was taken to manage the
elections so as the king and bishops might be well served, and
any arbitrary and illegal steps taken by the council approved of.
But to return,

The committee above-mentioned having prepared tilings,
and the ministers with whom they were to begin having notice
given them, on the 27th of July, the lords of his majesty's privj'-
couricii, in pi:irsiiance of his majesty's letter, dated June the 7th,
did appoint the following ministers to preach and exercise their
other function", at the following vacant kirks, viz. Messrs Ralph
Roger late at Glasgov/, at Kiiwinxiing ; George Hutchison late
at Edinburgh, at Irvine ; William Violent, late at F^rrie, at
Cambusncthan ; Robert Millar late at Ochiltree, at the same
cliurch ; John Park late at Strar.rawer. at the same church ;
William Maitiand late at \Yhitehorn, at Beith ; John Ohphant
late at Stonchouse, at tlie same kirk ; John Bell late at Ard-
Tossan at fh? same kirk ; John Cant late at Kells, at the same
kirk, and John Macniichan late at Dairy, at the sai-*ie kirk.
The same day the council made an act concerning ministers in-
dulged, or to be indulged almost in the terms of the king's let-
ter ; but without taking notice of the 400 'merks.

On the 20th of July Colonel Robert Barclay, who had been
apprehended on suspicion, was permitted to reside at his own
house at Ury till Januarj-, and some months after was wholly
£-eed from his restraint. And on the same day V/illiam Wal-
Ir.ce of Cainihill got up a bond that v/as extorted from him by
Sir William Bannantync.

On the 3d of August fAr Robert Duncan lace minister at
Dumbcrnie, who had been several years under restraint, was set
•<tt liberty, and the following ministers were indulged, viz.
Messrs John Scot late at Oxnam, there ; William Hamilton
laie at Glasford, at Evandale ; Robert Mitchellate at Luss,
there; John Gemble late at Symingtoun, there ; Patrick Camp-
bell late at Inverary, there -. Robert Duncanson iate at Lccli-
anside,at Kildochrcnan ; and Andrew Cameron late at Rilfinnan,
at Lochead in Kintyie.

This day all the ministers who were indulged appeared be-
fore the council to receive their r,cts of indulgence, or licences,
of which there wert; two forms, the one relating to those who
were to serve at their own churches now vacant, the other re-
lating to those who were appointed elsewhere.

The tenor of Mr Roger's act is as follows,
' Tlie lords of his majesty's privy-council, in pursuance of
his majesty's commands, signified the 7th of June last, do ap-
point Mr Pvalph Roger, hte mini-ter at Glasgow, to preach and

ciiAr. vnr. church of Scotland. 233

exercise the other functions of the ministry at the kirk of Kil-
winning.

Tlie tenor of IMr Millar's was,
' Forasmeikle as the kirk of Ochiltree is vacant, the lords of
his mijes'cy's privy-council, m pursuance of his majesty's com-
niinds, signilied by Ins letter the 7th of Juije last, and in regard
of the consent of the patron, do appoint Mr Robert Millar, late
mtnister there, to teach and exercise the other functions of the
ministry at the said Kirk of Ochiltree.'

When the clerk had read both these, and then the act of council
above-'.nentioned, a copy was delivered to each of the ministers.
After wliich Mr George Hutchison, as had been concerted, ask-.
ed leave to speak ; which having obtained, he said ;

Mj/ Lorris,
' T AT\'I desired, in the name of my brethren here present, to

-^ acknowledge in all liumility and thankfulness his majesty's
royal favour in granting us libert}^ and the public exercise of
our ministry, after so long a restraint from the same ; and to
return liearty thanks to your lordships for the care and pains
taken therein ; and that your lordships have been pleased to
make us, the unworthiest of many of ou,r brethren, so early par-'
takers of the same.

^ We having received our ministry from Jesus Christ, with
full prescriptions from him for regulating us therein, must in
the discharge thereof be countable to him, and as there can be
nothing more desirable or refreshing to us upon earth, than to
have free liberty of the exercise of our ministry, under protec-
tion of lawfiil authority, the excellent ordinance of God, and to
us most dear and precious, so we purpose and resolve to beh^-e
ourselves, in the discharge of the ministry, with that wisdom
and prudence which becomes faithful ministers of Jesus Gh-rist,
and to de menu ourselves tovvards lawful authority, notwithstand-
ing our known judgment in church-affairs, as well becomes loy-
■£.]. subjects, and that from a principle of conscience.

' And now, n:iy lords, our prayer to God is, that the Lord
may bless his majesty in his person and government, and your
lordships in yo-ir public administrations, and especially in pursu-
ance of h's majesty's mind testified in his letter, wherein his
singular moderation eminently appears, that others of our breth-
ren may in due time be made sharers of the liberty that,
through his majesty's favour, v/e nov/ enjoy.'

This speech v/as much censured, as not being a sufficient
testimony against the plain erastianism in the indulgence. It
Is indeed certain that these ministers ov/ned the king's letter
as the only rise and fountain of the favour they were then par-;
takers of ; and llierefore, l.ow far their complying was incon-*

266 THK HISTORY OF THE CHAP. VlH.

sistent with their principles as presbyterians, or how far they
could be juslified in receiving this favour for themselves, while
their brethren were still exposed to severe hardships, must be
left with the reader.

For this very day a severe proclamation was issued against
conventicles, commanding all heritors to inform against any
who, witliin their bounds, should take upon them to preach or
carry on worship in such assemblies, to the stewards, lords,
bailies of regalities, Stc. who were commanded, under the
highest penalties, to search for, apprehend and imprison such
preachers in order to their being prosecuted. And indeed one
desigii of the indulgence was to bear down and suppress all such
private assemblies, as is expressly declared in the king's letter.

I cannot hsre omit the peculiar case of Mr John Park, one
of the first ten indulged. The bishop of Gallovray, in order
to prevent his return to Stranrawer, admitted one Na smith
to that church about three days after Mr Park was indu]ged
by the council. The town and parish opposed this admission,
and unanimously adhered to their old minister. Upon which
the bishop ordered all parties to be summoned to Edinburgh,
that the council might determine in this competition. When
Mr Park was before the council, Mr Nasmith accused him with
ordering the church doors to be locked after his ad^nission, and
exciting several gentlemen to leave the church, &:c. But
tliough all appeared to be false, and though his act of indul-
gence was prior to the curate's admission, yet the latter v/as
unstained.

On the 1st of September, Mr Daniel Cargill, in consequence
of his petition, had his confinement taken off, providing he
obliged himself not to reside, on any account wha!;':".cv;:-, with-
in the town of Glasgow, nor in the town and suburbs of Edin-
burgh, without warrant from the lords of session and excl^equer.

Next day the following seven ministers were indulged, viz.
Messrs Robert Douglas late at Edinburgh, at Fencaitland,
(though only during the present vacancy) till a process should
be decided ; Matthew Ramsay late at Kilpatrick, at Paisley ;
Alexander Hamilton late at Dalmeny, there ; Andrew Dal-
r3-mple late at Auchiuleck, at Dalgen ; James Fletcher late at
iSi ev-thorn, there ; Andrew Maclean late at Craignish, at Kil-
chattan; and Donald Morison late at Kilmaglass, at Ardna-
:nurchan.

The same day the council ordered the king's advocate to
commence, before the parliament, a process of forfeiture against
those, guilty of rebellion 2 6(56, who were excepted out of the
king's indemnity, and hr.ve :-.$ yet neither been forfeited nof
pardoned.

CHAP. VIII. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 237

This month the episcopal synod of Glasgow sat down, and
their proceedings issued in the deprivation of the archbishop,
who with his clergy were out of measure enraged at the indul-
gence. To use the words of a noted historian, ' When it came
to be descanted upon, it appeared to be plainly against law ;
for, by the act restoring episcopacy, none were capable of be-
nefices but such as should own the authority of the bishops,
and be instituted by them. So now the episcopal party, that
were wont to put all authority in the king, as long as he was
for them, began to talk of law. They said. The king's power
was bounded by law, and that these proceedings were the
trampling of law under foot. It was m.oved in the synod,
' that an address might be drawn up, representing to the king
the miseries they were under, occasioned by the indulgence ;
' tliey complained of it as illegal, and like to be fatal to the
church.' It also bore hard upon the king's supremacy, whicli
these very gentlemen had sworn to support and maintain. The
true genius of passive obedience irien ! Such a paper as this*
could not but make a considerable noise.

Accordingly, on the last day of September, the council being
Informed that such a petition, remonstrance or grievances, had
been debated in the late synod at Glasgow, required the arch-
bishop forthwith to call for the said papers, in order to their
being presented to the council on the 14th of next October, and
that Mr James llamsay dean of Glasgow, and Mr Ross parson
there, who drew up these papers, appear before the council the
same day, and that the clerk do bring along with him the re-
cords of the synod.

On this same 30th of September, William Southram, v.Ho
had been a prisoner in the Canongate jail for being at a con-
venticle, was set at liberty, upon finding bail to appear when
called, under the penalty of 500 m^erks. And the same day
tiie council granted their indulgence to Messrs John Stirling late
at Edinburgh, at Hownam ; Robert P.Iov.'at late at Temple, at
Heriot ; James Hamilton late at Eaglesham, there ; Robert
Hunter late at Corstorphin, at Dunning ; and John Forrest late
at Tulliajlan, at Tillicultry.

On the 14i:h of October, Lauderdale, wlio was appointed
commissioner to the ensuing parliament, produced before the
council a paper sent by the archbishop of Glasgow ; and, ?fter
reading, it was remitted to the consideration of a commiltee,
v.'ho made their report on the Ifith, when the council deck.red
it to be a paper of a dangerous nature and consequence, tending
to the depraving of his majesty's laws, and misconstructiiig et'
the proceedings of his majesty and his council ; and, in tlic
manner of the conveying thereof, to' be most illegal and un -
v.-Q:Tani:.ible : and therefore crdere:! it to b:? ^i'r.pre?sf;iV, n:; ;

233 THE HISTORY OF THE CHaP. Virl.

that the principal paper, with the depositions of the d<:?A\ and
parson of Glasgow, be delivered to the commis:iiouer, and aii
extract of this act of council transmitted to the king.

The parliament sat down on the 19th of October, before his
majesty's pleasure could be known in this aftair ; and the scs-
.sion v/as opened with reading the king's letter, which cliiefly
related to the designed union, which the commisgiorier most
earnestly recommended ; and to engage the bishops and their
party, w'ho were chagrined at the indulgence, he insisted upon
the king's fixed resolution inviolably to maintain episcopacy,
and suppress conventicles. Alio the members signed the decla-
ration, obliging themselves to maintain prelacy.

The day after the parliament met, the council, being inform-
ed of an horrid insolence committed upon Mr John Rovv- mini-
ster at EalmaclcUan in Galloway, ordered all accessary to it to
appear before tliem ; the parishioners were likewise command-
ed to come, and hear and see themselves fined, and otherwise
censured according to the acts of council in March and June
1601. Mr Row complained, that three persons in women's
floaths came in the night-time, took him cut of his bed, beat
him and broke open Ins trunks, and took away what they had
a mind. And Mr Thomas Warner, his father-in-law, James
Grier of M'lmark, Gordon of Holm, Gordon of Gordonstoun,
John Carsan and James Chalmers, heritors of the parish, were
charged as being either actors or accessary to' this violence.
Tliougii, considering their distance from Edinburgh, they could
not come at the first sederunt of council, yet they were all
found guilty for not appearing ; and the heritors and life-venters
of the parish were ordered to pay to Mr P..0W 1200/. Scots :
and though they, and tlie otlier lieritors, came as soon as poi.-
sible, and offered to stand trial, they were not admiiisd ; but
Avere ordered to pay their part of tlie fine imposed. Of the like
nature was the complaint of Mv Lyon, curate at Orr, wlio was
insulted in the niglit-time : for which the parish was ordered to
pay him OOO/. and letters were directed against one Jolm Smith
alleged to be concerned in the attempt. Though tliese attempts
are not to be justified, yet why the innocent should be punished
for the guilty, and why these who offered themselves to 'uA
should not be heard, must be left to the determination of the
reader. . But to rcturri to the parliament .

Though one cliicf 4e<;ign of this parliament w-as to pave the
way for an uiiioa between the two kingdoms, yet all that was
done relating to that, was, that an act passed for a treaty abor.t
it ; v/hereas the two first acts were of more imiiorlance, and
li-id a deeper design.

The first explained and asserted the king's sujiremacy, but
carried it in such general words, that it niight have been stretch-

CHAP. VIII. CHlfRCH OF SCOTLAKD. ^39

ed to every tiling, p.s the reader will see from the acl- itself,,
which I here insert.

^ct aiient the si/prcmacy^ Nc-je7?ihcr 16, 16(39.

* rg ^HE estates of parliament, having seriously considered
-^ how necessary it is, for tlie good and peace of the church
and state, that his majesty's power and authority, in relation-
to matters and persons ecclesiastical, be more clearly asserted
by an act of parliament, have therefore ihought fit it be enact-
ed, asserted and declared ; likeas liis majesty, with advice and
consent of his estates of parliament, doth hereby enact, assert
and declare, tiiat his m.ajesty hath the supreme authority ap.d
supremacy over all persons and in all causes ecclesiastical with-
in this kingdom ; atid that, by virtue thereof, the ordering and-
disposal of the external government and policy of the church-
doth properly belong to his majesty and liis sitccesscrs, as an in-
herent right to the crown ; and lltat his majesty and his succes-
sors may settle, enact and emit sueh constitutions, acts and or-
ders, concerning the admiiiistratiou of the external government
of the church, and the persons employed in the same, and con-
cerning all ecclesiastical meetings and matters to be proposed
and determined therein, as they, in their royal wisdom shall
think fit ; wliich acts, orders and constitutions, being recorded
in the books of council, and duly published, are to be observed
and obej^ed by all his majesty's subjects ; any law, act or cus-
tom to tlie contrary notwithstanding. Likeas his majesty, with
advice and consent foresaid, doth rescind and annul all laws, acts
and clauses thereof, and all customs and constitutions, civil or
ecclesiastic, which are contrary to, or inconsistent with his ma-
jesty's supremacy, as it is herebv asserted, and declares the same
void and null in all time ccmxirig.

The reader cannot but see, that, by this act, the king may
do what he pleases with respect to church- affairs. If he should
think fit to pull dov/n episcopacy, and set up presbytery, the
bishops cculd not complain, since they had voted him such an
absolute supremacy ; nay, did he, or his successors, introduce
popery, tliey might justly plead this act of parliament. Bishop
Burnet says. Lord Lauderdale very probably knew the secret
of the Duke [of York's] religion, and had got iuio his favour ;
so it is very likely he intended to establish himself in it, by-
putting the Church of Scotland wholly in liis power. But,
says he, that v.as yet a secret to us alfin Scotland. The me-
thr.d he took to get it passed was this. He told all tliose Avho
loved presbytery, or that did net much favour the biihops.

^40 THE HISTORY OF THE CK'AP. Vllf.

that it was n-.cessary to keep them [the bishops] under, by-
making them depend absolutely on the king. — He made the no-
bility see they needed fear no more the insolence of the bishops,
if they were at mercy, as this would make them. Sliarp did
not like it, but durst not oppose it. Leighton vi'as against any
such act: — yet lie gave his vote for it. He farther says. At
that time there was no apprehensions of the danger of popery.
Many of the best of the episcopal clergy, Nairn and Charteris
in particular, were highly offended at the act. They thought
it plainly made the king our pope.' So far the doctor. It is
easy then for the reader to imagine wliat the sentiments of all
true presbyterians must be. I shall make no farther remarks
on this act, th^n to observe, that the Earl of Tvveeddale protest-
ed to Dr Burnet, as he tells us himself, that his chief end in it
v/as to justify the indulgence, which was certainly granted con-
trary to several laws then in force ; and consequently, as this in-
dulgence fiovv^cd from the supremacy, so nothing but the act of
supremacy, renewed and extended, could screen the members of
council in <rrantino- it to ministers who had the laws a^■ains;:
them ; and this v/as one reason wliy theu" acceptance was con-
demned.

The next act that passed related to the militia, wherein the
power of arming the subjects, and raising them in arms, is like-,
wise placed among the inherent rights of the crown. Burnet
says, ' It was enacted, that the militia should still be kept up,
and be ready to march into any of the king's dominions, for
any cause in which his majesty's authority, power or greatness
should be concerned ; and that the orders should be transmitted
to them from the council-board, without any mention of orders
from the king. Upon this great reflections were made ; for,
when the jealousies broke out in England of the ill designs that
lay hid under this matter it was thought, tliat, if the king
should call in the Scottish army, it would not be necessary that
he himself should send any orders for it; but, that upon a se-
cret intimation, the council might do it without order, and then,
if the design should miscarry, it should not lie on the king, but
only on the council, whom, in that case the king might disown,
and so those about the king would be blameless.

The 5th act was for the security of the persons of the clergy,
ratifying the proclamations of the council the 25th of March
«nd Gth of Juno lOCT.

By the eleventh act, concerning the forfeiture of persons in
the late rebellion, what the council and justiciary had formerly
done, was ratified and approved of, so tliat now there is a par-
liamentary forfeiture of these persons in absence. The par-
liament rose the 23d of December.

Me:-n while, on tliqPtb of Dccerribcr the fullov^ing f.ve mi-

GHAP. IX. CHURCH O? SCOTLAND- 241

nisters were indulged, viz. IMessrs James Veitch kte at Mauch-
liii, there ; Aloxaader Blair kte at Galsloun, tlicre ; John Prim-
rose late at (^ucensferry, there ; David Browii kte at Craigie,

there ; and John Crawford kte at , at Lamiugton. But

the same day the council being informed that Hamilton of

Kinkcll, John Balcanqual brother to the laird of that ilk, and
Jojin Geddie steward to the town-clerk of Fife, had been pre-
sent at a conventicle in that shire, they were summoned to ap-
pear on the 16th instant, under the pain of rebellion ; but no
more is mentioned concerning them.

However, on that day the council, considering that Mr Mat-
thew Ramsay, who was appointed to be minister at Paisley,
was not able, by reason of his bodily infirniities to officiate, did,
with the consent of the patron and of Mr Ramsay, -appoint Mr
John Baird, late minister at Innerwick, to the church^'of Paisley ;
so that this year there were thirty-five indulged by the council
in consequence of the king's letter.

Some time in this mcnth, Sir William Cuningham of Cun-
inghamhead. Sir William Muir of Rowalkn, Sir George Max-
well of Nether-pollock, Sir James Stewart and Sir John Chies-
ly, were all set at liberty.

Much about this time a letter came from the king laying a-
side the archbishop of Glasgow from acting any more in that
station. The historian of his ov/n time says, ' Tliat by the act
of supremacy-, the king was now master, and could turn out
bishops at pleasure. This had its first effect on Burnet, who
was offered a pension if he would submit and resign, and Vv^as
threatened to be treated more severely if he stood out. How-
ever, he complied, and retired to a private state of life, and bore
his disgrace better than he had done his honours. This
change was very agreeable to the presbytcrians v/ho suffered
exceedingly at the instigation of this man. I now proceed to

CHAP. IX.

Of the indulged^ the proceedings against cottventicks^ the actings of
the vjerteni committee^ Leightoti's acco:7j?}iodciiic?i^ the lai-js U7ui
acts of parliament ; with an account of the second indulgence^
and other things^ till the end of the year 1673.

rfilHE indulgence granted last year afforded, doubtless, scrne
-°- relief to those who could acce:3t of it, while others were
still exposed to the hardships of the times though not to that ri-
gour as when Burnet v/as archbishop of Glasgow.

On the, 1st of January 1670, Mr William TuUidaff, kte mi- ;
is-er of Dnnboig, was indulged to officiate at llilbirnie ; tlif^
VOL. T. O

24J THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

same day the council ordered the stipends to he paid to the in-
duljred ministers.

On ilie 6th of .Tanuaiy tlie commissioner signified to the coun-
cil that the archbishop of Glasgow had resigned his office and
dignity, and desired his name might be taken out of the rolls
of council, as being no m.ore a member of it. At the same
time the dean and parson of Glasgow were reprimanded by the
council, but afterwards were pardoned and restored to their
charges. The archbishop was after some years, restored, as we
shall relate in its proper place.

The same day the council being informed that Mr Robert
Boyd, curate of Carmonnock, had been robbed hy persons un-
known, ordered letters to be directed against the heritors of the
parish. Accordinglj^, the parish being fined in the sum of 501.
sierling. Sir Archibald Stewart of Castlemilk paid the fme,
which was g;iven to Mr Boyd. This, with such like attempts,
gave rise to the western committee, of which we shall hear in its
place.

Meanwhile the indulged minisicrs soon fovmd themselves in
more straitening circumstances than at first they apprehended.
Thus when they received their licences, they agreed among
themselves to keep up the practice of lecturing, or expounding
a portion of Scripture before the forenoon's semion, wliich had
been out of use since the establishment of episcopacy. But
the bishops complaining of this, as an innovation, the council,
on the 13th of January, passed an act forbidding this useful and
edifying exercise, and signifying, that whoever used it should
be discharged the exercise of their minstry within the kingdom.
Though, according to the indulgence, minister's were to preacii
and perform the other functions of the ministry, yet they were
forbidden to expound the scriptures ; how consistent this was
with their licence the reader must judge.

It is not to be denied but the indulgence was granted as the
most eff'ectual method to suppress conventicles, and therefore
the same day the military received new instructions, upon in-
formation of a numerous conventicle kept since last November,
to apprehend the minister and the most considerable heritors
and tenants, and upon their refusing to give security for their
appearance before the council by a certain day, to send th;;m in
])risoners with a party, together with a list of persons to v^'itness
against them. This not only made the soldiers severe, but like-
wise obliged both ministers and people to repair to the fields,
where they could, with the greater ease, disperse tliemselves,
and excited some to take arms with them to defend themselves
and their ministers.

The same day a very good proclamation was issued by the
!. ouncil c'./aiiiit papists, but little or no pains was taken to pat

CILV?. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 243

it in execution, the grcit thing being to ber.r down the pro-
tesLant non-conformists.

AccorJinglj, the verj next day, being January the 14th,
Mr Andrew Mortoun, minister at Carmonnock, was by the
councirs order, committed prisoner to Edinburgh, for preaching
in tlie said parish, and was afterwards sent to Stirling, where he
contiimed under confinement till November, when, by reason of
his .bodily indisposition, he was set at liberty ; only he must
remain at his own house at Glasgow during pleasure. He
preached there almost every day to such of the citizens as came
to hear him, except on V/ednesdays, v»hich he reserved for those
of his own congregation, who, being but four miles distant,
came in great numbers. Much about the same time Mr Hugh
Archibald, minister at Strathaven, and Mr John Rea minister at
Symingtoun, were apprehended and sent prisoners to Edin-
burgh, and afterwards to Stirling, for preaching and baptizing
in houses.

Mr Alexander Wedderburn late minister at was,

upon the 27th of January, indulged to ofliciate at Kilmarnock,
and.

On the 3d of February, Kersland was sent from Edinburgh to
Dumbarton-castle. When this gentleman was forfeited, he
thought proper to retire for safety to Utrecht, where he con-
tinued with his family some time, till his friends thought neces-
sary he should come home, though as private as possible. His
lady came over about the latter end of last year, and he follow-
ed her in a little time ; but when he came to Edinburgh he
found her in a fever. She lodged v/ith a gentlewoman who
was a well-v/ishcr to the suffering cause, and he lodged in a
more retired place, and generally came to see her in the even-
ings ; which being observed by Camion of Montdrogat, the
chanrellor got inlorm.ation, and an order was procured from
Lauderdale, then in town, to apprehend Mr V/elsIi for a con-
venticle he kept in lady Keisland's chamber, though the chief
design was upon Kersland himself. Accordingly a party was
sent, and finding no conventicle there, the cihcer begged the
lady's pardon, and retired. But Montdrogat ha%ing informed
one of the party, that Kersland usually concealed himself be-
b.ind the bed, he went and apprehended hiin. His lady behaved
with a becoming calmness, comforted him, and intreated him to
do nothing to wound his conscience, for her sake or his chil-
dren's, repeating that scripture, Ko 7!mn having put his hand to
the plough, and looking bach ^ is fit for the kingdom of God. He
was imprisoned at Edinburgh, and this day wa.s sent to Dum-
barton, v>'here he remained near a year and a half.

The same day a very severe proclamation was agreed upon
in council a"-ainst conventicles; by virtue vof which, not on! v

244 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

the magistrates, but also the officers of the militia, were im-
powered to search out such meetings, and apprehend the preach-
ers and principal persons who attended upon them. These
violent measures obliged ministers and people to take to the
fields, and defend themselves the best waj they could.

On th2 10th of February, the council being informed of
two numerous conventicks about Kirkintilloch near Glasgow,
ordered Hr Hamilton and Mr I\'Iitchcl the preachers to be ap-
prehended and sent to Edinburgh. Sometime after one llobert
Burns of Glasgow was fined in 100 marks for being present.
The bcginni;ig of next month the magistrates of Edinburgh re-
nen-ed their bond concerning conventicles. And,

Onlhe 3d of March the following ministers v.-crc indulged,
viz. Tvlessrs John Lauder late at Dalziel, there ; George Pvam-

say late at , at Kilmawers ; John Spalding late at ■■■■, at

Draghorn ; Thomas Black late at , at Ncv/tjlc ; Andrew

M*Lc.in late at , at Killavo and Kilquhanan ; Andi'ew

Duncanson late at , at Kilchattan in Lorn. These were

the last who reaped the benefit of the first indulgence, whov>-erc
in all forty -two ; but, as we have already observed, they soon
found themselves' abridged in the liberty tliey expected, parti-
cularly by the act of council against lecturing.

Mr Gilbert Burnet, afterwards bishop of Salisbury, having
been chosen professor of divinity in tlie university of Glasgow,
tells us, tliat the clergy came and laid their grievances and com-
plaints before him, and tliat the gentlemen of the country made
such complaints of the vices, irregularities, and indiscretions of
the clergy, that though he could not believe all, yet it was im-
possible not to believe a great deal. He says farther, that they
v/ere very ill used ; and it is not unlikely this might be the
case of some, for the people were generally set against them.
And therefore he proposed that a committee of the c-uncil
might be sent round the country to examine matters, and give
such orders as v/ere at present necessary for the public quiet,
and prepare a report against the next session of parliament, that,
proper remedies might be fpund" out.

Accordingly, on the 7th of April, the Duke of Hamilton,
the Earls of Linlithgow, Dumfries, Kincairdin, Dundonald, the
lord clerk-register, and lieutenant-general Drummond, or any
four of them, received a commission from the council to execute
the laws against the keepers of conventicles, to examine into
the abusive attempts committed against the orthodox ministers,
to call before them such persons as tliey shall be informed have
transgressed the acts of parliament, etc. And, among other
particular instructions, they were to inquire into the affair of the
minister of Maybole, the abuse done to Mr Irvine, minister r.t

OlIAF. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 2+5

Kilmacolm, Sec. and to examine how the indulged ministers
have observed the act of council against lecturing, Sec.

At the same time orders were sent to the officers of the
arm}' to obey the commands of the said commissioners, or of
any one of them. And the same day the coimcil p^asscd an
act in favour of such of the episcopal incumbents as had been
tln'iiit iVom their charges, appointing them to be maintained'
in their benefices and stipends according to their rights there-
unto.

When this committee was at Ayr, Mr iaffray the curate
at MayboJe, renewed his complaints, that some of his pa-
risliioners had attempted to murder him, by discharging a
pistol Jit his breast. He said the ball came upon a book
which lie had in his breast under his coat, which was the only
thing that saved his life. But the story appeared to be for-
ged ; for though the book was pierced, yet it was found that
the coat which was over the book, was whole and entire ;
so tliat, the curate tailing in his proofs, the matter ended in
laughter.

Mr Irvine at Kihnacolm, was very ill liked among his pa-
risiiioners. While he was preaching one Lord's day, some
boys threw a piece of rotten stick at the pulpit ; u}:)on the
noise it made, Mr Irvine left the pulpit, and v.'ent to his own
house, being followed by some of the beys with huzzas and
ciics. Upon this, a report v/as spread, that a minister had
been stoned out of his pulpit, and forced to flee for his life to
the manse ; but when the committee examined this affair, they
found it only a frolic of some idle boys. Ilov^^ever the matter
being transmitted to the council, they found James Watson,
James Ranken, John Hattrick, and William Sinclair, guilty
of the riot, and ordered ther,> to be transported to the plan-
tations ; but the last two, because of their j'outh, were par-
doned, upon their making a public acknowledgment before
the congregation. Wliether the sentence was executed
against the first two is not known. Thepai-ish was first fined
in 501. sterling, and then increased to lOOl. to be paid to the
curate. And tlie lairds of Dachal and Carncurran, then at
Edinburgh, were discharged to leave the town till they paid
the said sum. Ui)on examination the members of this com-
raittcc jilainly saw, that all, or niost of the alleged disorders
committed by the common people, were owing to the ill con-
duct of the incumbents.

As this committee examined into these abuses, so, accord-
ing to tlieir instructions, they took account of the indulged
niinisters with respect to their observing the act of council
against lecturing. These ministers being apprehensive that
thcv would be examined as to this, met toeetlier and a<>Tced

246 THE HlSTOnV OF THE CIlAr. IX.

to keep iin the practice, although they used different methods.
Some it seemo forbore it, but others altered their former me-
thod, and, instead of one cliapter, or part of a large one, read
two or more chajitcrs, which came nearest to the prescrip-
tions in the directory. Others read a whole chapter, and
pitched upon some verse of it for their text, and in opening
the text explained the context. But these different practices
jieither satisfied the committee, nor were agreeable to many
of their hearers However, when they were examii-cd be-
fore the committee, they gave an account of their different
practices, and yet contrary to expectation, moderate measures
prevailed.

While the committee sat at Glasgow, the curates gave in
lists of many non conformists who were alleged to have kept
conventicles. Several were fined on that account, but the
particulars are not known.

The town of Edinburgh having been a great shelter to the
ejected ministers, the -magistrates received orders from the
council to turn them all out. And the provost having got a
list of them from the bishop sent the town-ofiicers to seize
them ; however, none were a})prehended except Mr George
Johnston, minister at Newbottle, who being examined, and
owning his having preached on week-days, and on thy Lord's
day alter four o'clock^ when the ]:)ub!ic worship was over, and
refusing to engage not to keep conventicles, the council ba-
nished him the town of Edinburgh, and confined him to the
parish of Borthwick during their jileasurc ; and it was the
ond of the year before his confinement was taken off. The
hardships of other presbyterian ministers, by the soldiers
having orders to quarter in their houses till their families
bhould remove, were so groat, tlmt they were ibrced to seek a
new shelter ; for many were in danger of their life. But
though many of them were reduced to straitening circum-
stances, yet God wonderfully ])rovided for them.

On the 13th of May, Mrs Elisabeth Cuningham, Lady
Hilderstoun, was fined by the council in 400 merks lor a con-
venticle in her house; as were Nichol Gardiner, merchant in
Edinburgh, in 2001. and to be imprisoned till he discovered
the minister, and James Clarkson, Archibald I lendry, Wil-
liam Leick and David Jamie, in lOOl. each, all ibr being
at the same meeting. And the magistrates (;!" Edinburgh,
according to their bond, were fined in 501. sterling. Such
were the hardships of the times ! And, on the 9th of June,
the heritors of the parish of Neilstoun were fined in lOOOl.
Scots for a riot on Mr Kinnier tiie incumbent, and Allan
Stewart of Kirktoun was ordered to continue at Kdir.biirgli
till it was paid.

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. t^iT

The multitudes who went after the preaching of the word
were so great that houses could not contain them, so that now
field-meetings, which, of all others, were most violently op-
posetl, became frequent, three of which made gi'eat noise.
About the middle of June, Mr John Blackadder, and Mr
John Dickson, preached to a numerous assembly at Beeth-
hill, in the parish of Dunfermline. One Lord's day, a lieu-
tenant of the militia rode up on horseback, and gave the
meeting great disturbance : whereupon a person more cou-
rageous than the rest came up to him, and having in vain
intreated him to withdraw peaceably, took his horse by the
bridle, presented a pistol, and threatened to shoot him if he
was not silent. 'J'he lieutenant continued upon this peaceably
till the worship was over, and then had liberty to go where
iie pleased. The news of this horrid insult, as it was called,
soon reached Edinburgh, and Sharp knew well how to im-
prove it. So that many were brought to trouble on account
of it. Robert V/alwood of Touch, was fined in 500 merks,
and ordered to lie in prison till it was paid. Mr Alexander
Hasty, (after the Revolution one of the ministers of Glas-
gow,) Adam Stobie of Luscar, William Adam merchant in
Culross, James Sloss in Borrov.stounncss, David Mather
■elder in Brignics, John Ranken in Bonhard, and James
Duncan in Grange, were taken, and refusing to inform against
others, wee each fined in 500 merks, and ordered to lie in
irons during pleasure : and afterwards they, together with
Mr John Vernon, and Robert Orr in Milbank, who had a
child baptized there, were ordered to be banished the king's
dominions, and not to return upon pain of death. James
Dundas, brother to the laird of Dundas, was likewise order-
ed to be transported, but, upon giving his oath upon some
interrogatories relating to this conventicle, was set at li-
berty. Many odieis were brought under great hardships
for this conventicle, as Margaret Martin, Lady Colvil's gen-
tlewoman, and Bessie Young her servant, who lay in piison
a long time.

Another field-meeting was held much about the same time,
at Livingseat in the parish of Carnwath, on account of which
many suffered in the same manner as those mentioned in the
last paragra4ih ; particularly that pious youth Mr John Ver-
non, who, it seems, was at both ; and, refusing to inform
upon oath against any who were present, was committed close
prisoner, ordered to lie in irons during the councils pleas;u-e,
and to be fed widi bread and water. During this confine-
ment his leg gangrened, which had almost cost him his lite ;
and, notwithstanding all die intercession that was made for
him, it was November before he and Robert Orr were set vX

548 THE HISTORY OT THE CHAP. IX.

libert}', upon giving security, under the penalty of 500 merks
cacli, to a))p<ear when called. John Carniichacl in Blackburn,
and David Carmichael in Potibhaw, were fined in 100 merks
each for being at this meeting.

The council, being informed of a third field meeting att'ne
Torwood, ordered the Earl of Caliendar to use liis interest
for suppressing conventicles in htirlingshirc ; accordingly
Charles Canijibell in Airth, refusing to inform, was sentenced
to be transpoited fur being at this meeting.

Mr John Menzicb, minister at Carlaverock, near Dumfries,
observing the severities against Protestants, while the Papists
remained unmolested, notwithstanding the several remon-
strances he had made to the bishop in the diocesan meeting,
and to the brethren of the exercise, against the growth of
popery, at first withdrew from their meetings, and at la^t, on
the 12th of«July, sent in his written testimony to the presby-
tery of Dumfries, in which he says :

< r¥"^HAT which hath — been matter of lamentation to many,
-**■- is, that when — the abomination of J^opery was almost
rooted out of our land, that that noisome weed hath, of late
years, got a great footing among us again. And when not
only — popery — but also j-'rofanity of all sorts abounds among
all ranks and degrees :— and wliile many of the godl}' — are
mourning in secret for their abominations, as being a sad
pi'ognostic of the Lord's departing from us, and a judicial
stroke of his vengeance. — It is not nnknown to some of you,
that in some of the latter synod?, I did regret the groAvth of
these ills, and intrcat tluit some eil'ectual remedy might be
used for preventing their f.n-ther increase j albeit mucii was
])romised, yet noming h.ad been performed. I likewise often
represented — th.e abounding of these in most parishes of this
presbytery, and particularly within tlie borMuls of my charge.
— The last day 1 was at your meeting, I desired that, by an
act of the presbytery, Papists miglit be prosecuted, as well as
the profane, &c but was plainly refused that day, — it being de-
clared not to be seasonable ; and some of you asserting them to
be" the presbytery's useful friends. In consideration whereof —
my beholding this your way liath occasioned my more serious
thoughts of tlie course of conformity with prelacy. And albei
jiopcry and p.rofanity may be very accidental to the course of
conformity with prelacy ; yel beholding (hat these two per-
nicious weeds thrive so kindly in your tioil, it liath moved me
now, more than ever, to search out what of God can be in
that way. And — this is the result of what I liave attained to,
that J, through scripture-light and other engagements, — c:in-
not any longer adhere to conformity with prelacy, without the
grievous wounding of my own consciojico,-^and that by my

CHAP. IK. ciitrrxCH of scotlakd. 219

former coiiforniity I have exceedingly offoiKlod God, and
have been a stumbling-block in the way ol" his people, ibr
which, as I desire to he humbled before God, so 1 crave par-
don of all his people whonr J have offended. This I declare
upon account of no worldly advantage ; but my witness is
in heaven, I do it only for the glory of God, the cdificatioa
of his people, and the exoneration of my own conscience.' —

Upon this, in a most moving, faithful and aflectionate man-
ner, he exhorted them to consider their Avays ; represented-
h.ov\ dismp.l ii was that so many of the iaithful should be cast
out of God's inlieritance -, and concluded v^'ith these words,
' Finally brethren, as lor prelacy, v\'hercupon the Lord hath
' stamped this mark of hisclispleasurc, tliat under it, truth and

* godliness h.nth been under a sensible decay, so if ye vvou'd

* consider and ponder the same impartially in the balance ot"
' the sanctuary, then, v. ho knovvs but you shall discover it to

* be a plant riot sent by the hand of God, but of man, and

* which the Loi'd in his own time may cause to be plucked
' out of his vineyard again ;' He desired that this iiis testi-
mony might be registered iis the presbytery records, but vvlie-
tiier this waa complied with is not known. Several otlicrs
also lell oil' afterwiird from the prelates.

The time of the sitting of the parliament drew near, and
Lauderdale, when he came to Edinburgh, in order to ingra-
tiate hiuiseif with the prelates, renewed the severities again^.t
the ejected ministers ; for, by proclamation, he discharged
any of them from coming to town, Avithout licence, upon pain
of death. And as those of them vvh.o were most trequcnt in
preaching were summoned, at several times in the m.onth of
August, to appear before the council, so they, finding that
they would eicher be banished or impriiioned, resolved among
tliemselves not to appear, and sent a letter through all of their
persuasion to stir them up to prayer and solemn liisting in tlds
day of distress and treading down. See Wodrovv's A}>pendiA,
A'ol. IL No. 40.

The parhament sat down on Use i 8th of July. A^nd tlie
acts of this session, though short, continuing only for the
space of a moi3th, were sanguinary to the last degree, and,
Avhile they remain on record, must brand the makers of then;
with indelible disgrace. The fi]'st act em})owcred — the king-
to name commissioneis for treating of an union between the
two kingdoms ; but this came to nothing.

The 'zd act related to those who refused oi- delayed to de-
pose or swear against delinquents when required : by vvljicli
every person, of what (juality or sex soever, was obliged to
answer upon c.tiIi, and swear as to their knowledge of any
c} imps against the public laws and pciKC of th.e kingdom, ai;d

2^0 IHE IIISTOIIY OF THE CHAP. IX.

particularly of any conventicles or other unlawful meetings,
and of the several circumstances of the persons pi'csent, ui)on
pain of lining, imprisonment or banishment, at the pleasure
of the council. The reader cannot but see the iniquity of
this act, by which the nearest relations were obliged to swear
a""ainst one another under the penalties mentioned in it ; pa-
rents were obliged to accuse their children, and children their
parents.

But the 5th, intitlcd, Acf against co?ivejificles, was of all
others the most barbarous. By tliis it was enacted, ' That

* no outed or ejected minister, not licensed by the council or

* tolerated by the bishop, presume to preach, expound scrip-

* ture, or pray in any meeting, exce[it in their own houses,

* and to those of their own family : and that none be present

* at any such meeting.' So that if any such minister should
be found praying in any family except his own, he was a
transgressor of this law. Whether this be not a scandal to
Christianity itself, let the reader judge. Strange times !
when a minister's praying in any house but his own was
reckoned sedition. However, this was the case, and the mi-
nister or preacher, by tliis famous act, was to fee imprisoned
till he found bail not to keep another conventicle under the
penalty of 5000 mcrks, (a greater sum than most of them
were worth) or else consent to leave the kingdom, never to
return without his majesty's licence. And as for those pre-
sent at such house-conventicles, they were to be fined accord-
ing to their qualities •, if heritors, in the fourth part of their
yearly rent ; if tenants, in 25l. Scots; and if cottars, in 121.
Scots. Tl:cse were peculiar severities. Uut the other part
of this act, relating to field-preaching, was still more severe ;
for thereby it was ordained that the minister or preacher be
punished by death and confiscation of goods. And the fines
for those ])resent were to be twice as much as for housc-
mcctings. And there arc only these three things the reader
is to observe, 1 . 'i'hat if any person slioukl be without doors,
when an ejectcil minister was preaching or praying in any
house, that, by this act, was deemed a field-conventicle, and
the penalties were the same. 2. Five hundred merks were
ajrpointed for those who should apprehend any of the
])reachers at field-meetings, 'o. The sheriffs, stewards, and
lords of regalities, for their better encouragement, were al-
lowed all the fines below heritors, &c. for them.selves. Thi.s
act was to continue in force only three years, unless his ma-
jesty [or rather the prelates] should think fit to prolong it.

1 shall leave tlie reader to make his ov.ii reflections. '1 he
ministers who coukl not accept of the indulgence had now
tlieir sentence. Bishop Burnet snys, * That Sir Robert

CriAr. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 251

Murray told him, that the king was not well pleased with this
act, as bciiijx extravagantly severe, chiefly in that of the
])reachers being to be punished by death. He said that
bloody laws did no good, and that he never would have pass-
ed it if he had known it before-hand. The half of the par-
liament abliorred this act ; yet so abject were they in their
submissions to Lauderdale, that the young Earl of Cassils was
the only person who voted in the negative' This, however,
did neither deter ministers from preaching, nor peoj^lc from
hearing, as we shall relate in the sequel. They chose to suf-
ier rather than sin.

I shall say nothing of their act against disorderly baptism ;
but their 7th act against separation must not be omitted, be-
cause all his majesty's good subjects of the reformed religion
are hereby commanded to frequent the ordinary meetings for
divine worship in their own parish-churches, under the pe-
nalties mentioned in the act in case of failure. Bishop Bur-
net says. That Lauderda^o, with his own hands, put in a word
in the act that covered the Papists, the fines being laid on
such of the reformed religion as went not to church. He
jn-etcnded by this to merit with the popish party, with the
Duke of York in particular. Lauderdale told him, that he
put in these woi'ds on design to let the world know that they
were to be worse used than the Papists themselves.' And so
it was in reality ; lor those of the reformed religion could
neither in conscience attend on the worship of God in parish-
churches, nor yet refrain to attend upon ordinances where they
could have them dispensed j and such was the dilemma they
were reduced to, that they were exposed to the severities of
the laws then made whatever course they took. Thus, in
this short session of parliament a large foundation was laid for
a most severe persecution ; the dismal consequences of it will
be related in the sequel.

On the llth of August, there v/as a decreet obtained by the
advocate against Mr James Hamilton, late at Blantyre, Mr
.James Mitchel, Mr .Tames Porter, Mr John Dickson, late at
llutherglen, and Mr John Blackadder, late at 'J'raquair.
They were charged for holding conventicles in houses and ia
the fields ; and not appearing when summoned, they were
denounced and put to the horn, which obliged them to wan-
der up and down the country, and preach in the fields as they
liad opjiortunity.

About the IJth of August Mr Robert Landass, for per-
rorr:;ing worship in a piivate family about a year before, was
apprehended, and kept prisoner at Edinburgh for six weeks
before he was set at liberty. And Mr Hugh Peebles was
brought before tlic council on the i?Sth of A-.i^^ust. And

^5*2 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP, IX,

though notliinq could be proved against him, yet, because he
would not engage not to keep conventicles, and refrain iVoni
preaching and worshipping God in any family but his
own, was confined to Dumbarton and a mile round it. The
same day the heritors of Glasford in Lanarkshire were fined
in lOOOl. Scots, because the curate's house had been robbed
l>y thieves, some of whom, being afterwards apprehended
for other crimes, confessed this robbery at their execution,
and declared that tiiere was not one person in the parish con-
cerned.

This summer the laird of Meldrum, an officer of the guards,
apprehended several good people in some parishes in the
sliire of Ilenfrew, for hearing the ejected ministers, and put
them to no small trouble. Sundry other ministers, were like-
wise harrassed ; for, nolwidistanding all the ditliculties to
which they were exposed, the}' could not but pit}' the crying
necessities of the people who thirsted after the word, and their
ministry was remarkably successful among them.

As all methods of severity were u.sod to supju-ess the pres-
byterians. so atlempls of another nature were made for ac-
complisliing this end. Accordingly, when Bishop Lcighton
ontercd upon the administration of the diocese of Glasgow,
lie- received many complaints concerning the scandalous con-
duct of the clergy, ajid therefore appointed a committee of
liis u.nderlings to receiye these accusations, and the council
ordered several to assist them. However, when this com-
jnittee met in Sojitembcr, it was urged that none should be
permitted to give in a complaint, till they had first signed the
<leclaration, init, finding they had no legal authority to re-
<{uire this, the motion was droj")t, and they tell upon another
■vvay to discourage complaints of tliis kind ; for, if any failed
in his proof, he was to appear in sackcloth before the con-
gregation, as a slar.dcrcr. Nolwithstanciing whereof, the
proofs, in many cases, were so clear, that there v.'asno avoiil-
ing the evitlenee. The iiicumbent of Killellan was deposed,
and others removed iVom their charges : and particularly Mr
JafFray of Mayboie, who had accused his parishioners, was
himself now accused of profane swearing, drunkenness, &c.
and when th.c committee was like to have discharged h.im,
Leighlon iiUerposed his aut!-.ority, and ibrbid him the exer-
cise of his ministry in that parish, notwith.btanding this the
])urging conunittee was of little cficct.

Another metliod taken to retrieve the credit of the clergy,
and to cast a vail upon the presbyterian ministers, v.as the
pending seme of the most noted episcojial divines to the v. est,
as Doctor Ihirnet, 7Av J;uncs ^.'ai)n, iMr Laurence C'harteris,
Mr James Aird, JMr Patrick Cook, and Mr V/altcr PaterLon,

CHAP. IX. cnuRCii or Scotland. 2,-^^

who were ironically termed by the country people, 27/6' bi-
sJiopsi' evangelists. It was ex|)ected these would have made
jiroselytes of all the west, but they soon found themselves
mistaken. Mr Burnet says, in his history, the people of the
country came generally to hear us, thougli not in great
crowds. We were indeed amazed to see a poor counnonalty
so capable to argue upon the points of government, and on
the bounds to be set to the power of prince:? in matters of
religion, 'i'his measure of knowledge was spread among the
meanest of them, their cottagers ixnd servants.

The last attempt Bishop Lcighton made was the accom-
modation proposed to sundry presbyterian ministers, about
the end of this year, with a view to draw them into an unpez'-
ceived subjection to prelacy ; but the snare was seen antl avoid-
ed. Lauderdale, at Leighton's desire, wrote to Messrs Hut-
chinson, Wedderburn, Ramsay, Baird and Gemble, to meet
liim at Edinburgh on the 9th of August, \v\\\<A\ they did.
And, upon hearing the proposals, they replied, that, as theso
were of a general concern, they could not give their private
judgment without consulting their brethren. They fartlier
desired the proposals miglit be given in writing, which the
bishop promised to do, but did not perform. However, the
commissioner allov.ed presbyterian m.inisters, indulged and
not indulged, to meet among themselves, and gave theui till
the first of November to think of an answer.

The ministers meeting among themselves, put the proposals
in this shape, to be communicated to their brethren. < Presby-

< teries being set up by law as they were established before the-
' year 163S, and the bishop passing from his negative voice,
' and we iiaving liberty to protest and declare against any re-
' mainder of pielatic power retained, or that nuiy happen at

< any time to be exercised by him, for a salvo forour consciences

* from homologation thereof; qiieriiu)\ whether we can, with
« safety to our consciences and principles, join in these pres-

* byteries .'' or what else it is we will desire or do for {x^ace in
, < the church, and an accommodation, episcopacy being always

* preserved r' Accordingly, at a numerous meeting of mi-
nisters, it Vv'as unanimously agreed, that die above concessions-
were not sufilcient to be a foundation for their sitting and act-
ing in presbyteries and synods with the prelates ; for they
justly reckoned this accommodation inconsistent with their
jn-inciples. They could not comply with this without com-
plying widi episcopacy itself, and owning t'ae king's ecclesiasti-
cal supremacy, wliich was eitablislied by law.

On the 14th of December Bishop Leighton, the provost
of Glasgow, Sir John Harper of Camnethan, Mr Gilbert
Burnet, and Tvir James llam'-fv dean of Glivsi^ow, met with

-J* TIIL IllSTORTf OF THE CHAP. IX.

about twenty-six presbylcrian ministers, indulged and not in-
dulged, at Ayr ; ut wliicli a conference began concerning the
power of bishops -, ami Mr Alexander Janiison reasoned so
closely with Leighton on that point, that he became very un-
easy, his nose fell a-blccding, and he was obliged to retire for
a, little. And when sevei-al others w^ere inclined to enter the
lists with him and Professor Burnet, they v.ere told that the
ineeting Mas not for debates. The meeting was adjourned till
next day, when, receiving farther pi'oposals, they got till the
12th of Janiuiry to consider of them. In the mean time the
ministers, observing that the last were more unsatisfactory
than the first, appointed Messrs Hutchinson, Wedderburn,
ccc, to repair to Edinburgh, and deliver in their ansvi'crs in
writing.

Accordingly these ministers got to Edinburgh by the 11th
of January 1671, where they tbund the chancellor, duke of
Hamilton, earl of Twecddale, and some other counsellors, with
Bishop Leighton, and Professor Burnet. There were two
meetings at Holy rood -house, besides several private con-
ferences. And in short the ministers gave in tlieir reasons
why the proposals were not satisfactory. At one of these
meetings Leighton offered a dispute with them, which Mr
Hutchinson modestly declined, observing that he was not sate
to dispute against episcopacy, considering the laws in force
against speaking or writing in opposition to it. The professor
insulted upon this ; whereujion Mr Wedderburn accepted the
challenge, if the chancellor and counsellors present would al-
low him ; but that not being granted the accommodation
broke up.

About the beginning of this year Sir James Dalrymple of
Stair was admitted a privy- counsellor. On the 12th of
January the council fell foul of that noted book, intitled, Jus
popnli v?fid/caiu»i, and on the 16th of February published a
proclamation, ordering all who shall have any copies of it in
their custody, after such a limited time, to be fined 10,000
merks. The same day Colonel Gilbert Ker, w ho had left the
kingdom since the restoration, got liberty to reside in Scot-
land.

When the accommodation .was at an end, the prcsbyterlan
ministers were represented as obstinate and unreasonable men.
Bishop Burnet says, that their behaviour disgusted all wise,
moderate and good men, when they rejected propositions that
came so home even to the maxims they themselves had set
up. But in this he was mistaken ; because there was nothing
ollered in the proj)osaIs that was inconsistent with prelacy ;
neither could presbyterian ministers yield to them, without

CIIAP. IX. CHURCM or SCOTLAXD. 2jo

renouncing their known princi})lcs anil submitting to the
hierarchy.

However, tlic council upon this made an act, the 26tli of
January, confining all the indulged ministers to their respec-
tive parishes, who would not keep presbyteries and synods,
those namely which were held by the bishops, insomuch that
Mr John Bell, minister at Ardrossan, durst not go to visit his
dying fatliej", though within a mile of him, without a"spcciai
order from the council Some jndccd received more tavour
than others. But as none of them kej>t the 2yth of May ac-
cording to act of parliament, and as they generally kept up
the practice of lecturing, they were exposed to no small hard-
ships, and it was with difficulty they could get their stipends.

But the ejected ministers who were not indulged were ex-
posed to still greater hardships ; for such of them who resided
in the parishes where episcopal ministers were settled, were
ordered either to keep their parish-churches, or remove with
their families elsewhere ; and not a few were brought to
trouble for baptising children.

Mr Jolin Mcnzies, minister at Carlavcrock, liaving been
obliged to appear before the commissioner, was confined to
his own chamber at Edinburgh. When he had continued
there for some time, without any notice being taken of him,
he went home and preached to his people : whereupon the
council, finding he had broke his confinement, ordered him
to appear before them upon pain of rebellion. But what was
the consequence of this I do not find. '

Meanwhile the advocate pressed for severity against con-
venticles. Accordingly on the 2d of March, the council ap-
pointed a committee to ct)nsider what was farther to be done
lor suppressing them, but what they did this year is not
known ; only, on the 7th of March, the sureties for Messrs
Hasty, Stobic, Adam, Sec were ordered to produce these per-
sons •, and when they ajipeared before the council, tliey were
commanded to attend the first meeting in May ; but there is
no more concerning them.

Several geritlemen Avere likewise biought to much trouble ;
for, on the 2d of March, Sir Charles Erskine, LoVd Lyon,
got a connnission from the lords of the treasury to enter upon
the estates, 8:c. of such as were forfeited ibr tlie rebellion
1066, in the shires of Dunjfrics, Wigtoiui, and stewartry of
Kirkcudbright ; and though Mr Ocorge MacCartney of
Blaiket was neither at Pentland, nor fortcited on that account,
yet, some way or anotlicr, his name having been inserted,
none of tliem sufiercd more than he. His father was fined in
Middkton's parliament, and otherwise harrassed, and himself
suffered exceedinulv beloj-o this bv fines. CAactions, and (If-

25(3 THi: HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

prcc'ations ; and rolusiiig tliis year to cor.ipound for liis estate
with Lord Lyoii, he vviis carried iu prisoner to Edinburgh.
Alter some time it being ibnnd that he had been neither i'or-
leited, nor excepted, he was ordered his liberty, upon giving
bond to appear when called j nevertheless lie Avas by ways and
means detained in })rIson for the space of six years, during
which time his estate was seized, and his lands laid waste, so
that liis losses, during this time of persccuLion, amounted to
no less than 98271. K^'s.

Mr Cuningham of Bedlane w:!s continued prisoner iu
Dumbarton castle, only got liberty to ride out some miles
every day lor his health, on givin.g a bond for 10,000 merk*
to rttuin to the castle at night. Kersland, his fellow-prisoner,
})etil:oned the cou:icil, on the 5th of September, to be sent to
some place more commodious for tlie education of his chil-
dren. Accordingly he was ordered to Aberdeen, where he
\vas kejit close prisoner, in a cold room, for three months,
v/ilhout l)eing allowed a fire; and, in the mouth of December,
he was brought ironi Aber(«^.een, and committed to the castle
of Siirling, where he continued several years, of whom more
will bo related aherwards

Uiidcr all this severity towards protcstant non conformists
],H)pery sensibly increased ; swarms of ])riests came over with
large cargoes ot* relics, pictures, beads, and such like trum-
pery, and vast numbers of Father 'j\irbcviirs manual of con-
troversies were industriously dispersed. It is true the council
in August ordered x6:u- popish [)riesis to be apprehended, and
apj)ointed Ai'gylc a:ul the lord register to sei'/e some popisii
lujoks and trinkets that were in a shij) lately come to Leitli.
Some episcopal ministers in the north, where popery was bare-
Jaced, did also appear against it, particularly Mr John Meu-
zies at Aberdeen. But though several representations were
made upon this point, yet little regard was had to them at the
council-board, where Sharp had the impudence to say one day,
That his majesty's government was by fir in greater hazard
jrom presbyterians than papists ; and that it was his opinion
the council ought to look more narrowly to presbyterian meet-
ings, in which they were very slack, altliough the great danger
lay there.

If the }nimatc was let into the secret intrigues carryiiig on
ill this tin:e, it is likely lie spoke what he thought to be matter
'x)f fact ; for the king h:n\ formed a design to rendei; himself
absolute and to overturn the })rotestant religion ; and, as he
could not conmnmicate his intentions vAlh safety to his whole
vomicil, he established a cabinet-council of five persons only,
viz. Clillbrd, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley and Lauderdale.
1 lie initial letters of tlietc ii.e names contposing the wcrd
1

CMAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLA\+D. 257

CABAL, this secret council was from thence called by that
name. If to these we add the king and the Duke of York, it
will be found that all the seven were for arbitrary government.
And as to religion, the king, the duke, ArHngton and Clifford
were papists, and the other three of no religion at all. In this
cabal, as Father Orleans has declared, a war with the Dutch
was resolved. The Abbot Primi tells us, at the same time,
that ' King Charles signed a private treaty with France,

* and to give him farther assurances in that matter, Henrietta

* of England, Ducness of Orleans, King Charles's sister, went
« to England 1670, and in the name of the most Chri.aian

* King, made a proposa. to her royal brother, of ensuring to
' liim an absolute authority over his pai'liament, and re-
' establishing the catholic religion in the three kingdoms ;

* but that, in order to this there was a necessity of lowering
' the pride and power of the Dutch, and reducing that state
' to the narrow compass of the province of Holland, &c.' It
is not my business to enter into these intrigues ; it is sufficient
to my purpose to observe, that a design was now on foot to
subvert the protestant religion ; and if the managers in Scot-
land were privy to it, we need not wonder at their lenity to
papists and severity to presbyterians.

About the end of this year tlie laird of Lee was made jus-
tice-clerk, and Lauderdale captain of the Bass, which the
king bought and turned into a prison; and indeed Lauderdale
and his friends at this time possessed all the chief posts in
Scotland. But leaving these things,

I now go on to the transactions of the year 1G72, about the
beginning of which Mr Ramsay, the episcopal incumbent of
Auchinleck, happened to have his house robbed in the night-
time, whereupon tlie council, on the 23d of January, gave a
commission ' to some ofticcrs of the army, in that ileighbour-

* hood, to hold courts, call witnesses, and examine into the

* affair, and to fine the absent heritors in 2001. tenants in 401.

* and cottars in lOl. and each woman according to the quality

* of her husband, dead or alive' So that here a justiciary
power was lodged in the military officers. Two days alter
this Gordon of Dundeugh in Galloway got up a bond of 600
merks, wliich had been extorted from him by Sir William
Bannantync.

The persecution against conventicles still went on •, for the
council being informed that several were kept in Glasgow,
ordered on the 22d of February, the magistrates of that city
to suppress them, and to enjoin all the ejected ministers, either
to attend the church, or remove out of the town, which put
many of them to no small difficulties.

The same day the learned and pious Mr Alexatider Car-»
VOL. r. It

25S THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

inichacl, luivinfjbccn apprehended at Kirkcaldy, and brought
ill prisoner to Edinburgh, was before the council for keeping
conventicles, and on the 26th was ordered to be transported
l^y r;ea to London, wliere he was singularly useful, and finish-
ed his course with joy 1676 or 1677. This excellent person
is v.'cll kno'A'u to the world by his accurate treatise on mortifi-
cation, published at London after hi* death 1677. His bro-
ther Mr John Carmichael and he had for some time conform-
ed, but, discovering their error, quitted their livhigs, and
joined their suffering brethren.

Li jMarch many of the ejected ministers about Edinburgh
were obliged to leave the town, and go they knew not whither.
However, several of them at this time got to their rest out of
the reach of all their enemies, as Mr Walter Grcig, Mr David
Ferral, and Mr Robert Douglas.

On the IJth of March his maj,csty's declaration of indul-
gence to the non-conformists in England which had been com-
municated to and approved of by the French king, was pub-
lished, in Vvhich the penal lav.s against all sorts of non-con-
formists were suspended ; and though the papists were not to
liave public places for worship, yet they were allov»ed the ex-
ercise of their worsliip in private houses. The protestant
non-conformistSj ti;ough they had now liberty granted them,
liad no opinion of the dispensing power. They were sensible
the indulgence v.as not granted out of love to iheui, nor
would continue any longer than it served the interest of po-
pery. But the breaking out of tlic Dutch war made the court
tl'.iiik it necessary to grant them an indulgence, that there
might be peace at home while there was war abroad. •

Two days after this the king published his declaration of
war against the Stiites, dated die 17th March, and tlie like
was published by the French king at Paris, who in the be-
ginning of May, assembled an army of 120,000 men, and
with a rapid fury over-run the greatest part of the Nether-
lands; :uid the Dutch were reduced to such extremities, that
the populace rose, and having obliged the States to make the
young prince of Orange stadtholder, they fell upon the two
brothers Cornelius and John de Wits, and tore them to pieces.
This prince, by the blessing of God, was raised up, in that
time of extremity, to check the progress of the French arms,
and disconcert the measures that had been formed, not only
for ruining his country, but also for subverting the i^rotestant
religion, and establishing jiopery and arbitrary power.

At this time Lord-kee})er Bridginan lost all credit at court;
for he i-efused to put the seal to the indulgence, as jutlging it
contrary to law ; so he was dismissed ; and Shaftsbury was
made chajicelloj-, Ciiilbrd treasure)-, Arlington had a garPc^r

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 259

and was made an eail j and Lauderdale had a garter and was
made a duko on the 2d of May. All th^^ nicir.bers of the
cabal had gi-eat presents from France, and the I'rcnoh am-
bassador gave each of them a picture of the king of j^ranc*
set in diamonds to the vnine of 30001. sterling. And thus, to
use the words cf a noted historian, was the nation and our re-
ligion, as well as the king's faith and honour, set io sa!-' and
sold. But to return to Scf lland, ihe managers there took no
notice of thesi: things, but carried on their persecution against
the presbyteriai.s-

In the month of June the parliament sat down at Edin-
burgh, and made several persecuting actb. By their ftrst uone
were to be officers of the militiii but episcopalians ; both of-
ficers and soldiers were to take the oath of allegiance and de-
claration, and upon refusal to be imprisoned and banished.
By their ninth act, against unlawful ordinations, none were
to ordain to ihe ministry who were not authorised by law; all
pretended ordinations since 1661 were declared to be void and
null. The ordainers and ordained, contrary to this act, were
to be imprisoned and banished by the council ; and persons
married by such were denuded of all they could claim jure
mariti vel rclicta;, &c. By the eleventh act, about baptisms,
it was ordained, ' That every person who wants a certificate

* from the minister of the parish where he liveSj that his child

* was baptised v.-ithin thirty days of its birth, shall be fined,

* heritors in a fourth part of their yearly valued rent, merchants
< lOOl. Scots, &c.' By the 12th act, all who do not observe the
anniversary of his majesty's restoration, were ordered to be
fined, and otherwise punished, according to their condition
and estate. By their 3 7th act, the acts passed in the last
session, concerning conventicles and withdrawing from public
ordinances, are to continue in force for three years after the
expiration of the time limited by these acts. The last act of
this session Avas against profaneness, and was an excellent act,
had it been only put in execution ; but the ecclesiastic gentle-
men had something else to mind.

During this session of parliament a great many were- im-
prisoned, fined and denounced on accoun!: of conventicles ; ac-
cordinglj', on the 1 1th of July, Mr Patrick Hay laird of Lees
was ordered to be confined to his chamber at Edinburgh, and
Mr James Mercer, governor to the laird of Meggins, to ht con-
fmcd to the town. His pupil Mr John Druramond of Meggins,
younger, Alexander Christie and Thomas Keltie mercliants in
Perth, v/ere ordered to be carried prisoners to the tolbooth of
Edinburgh. Those who wci-e at this time summoned, and did
not appear, who were not a few, were denounced and put to
the horn. On the 14th Meggins elder ^vas fined in 3001. sterling

200 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAT. 1%.

for his lady's being at a conventicle, and his son, the said Mr
Drummoud, was imprisoned till his father should pay the fine.
A', the same time the said Alexander Christie and Thomas
Keltic were fined in 500 merks Scots each, the laird of Lees in
ICOO racrks, and George Hay of Balhousie, afterwards Earl of
Kiiinoul, in lOOOl. sterling ; and all of them to remain in prison
till their fines were paid. On the 24th of July, Anne Countess
of Wigtoun, an excellent widow lady, was obliged to appear
personally before the council, and, upon owning her being at
a conventicle in the house of Boghall, was fined in 4000 merks.
Mr Tames Duncan at Duplin, for being at another at the bridge
of Earn, was fined in 2000 merks, and the following persons
v/ere imprisoned^ viz. .Tames Crighton, John Dalziel, James
Paterson, William Cleghorn, Malcolm Brown, Peter Gilles,
Thomas Crighton, James Glasgow, James Lindsay, James
Thomson, James Fondest, John Newbigging, John Hutchison,
and Malcolm Gibson. They who did not appear were denoun-
ced. Such vv^as the inildness of this administration !

I)uring these proceedings against conventicles, on the
13th of July Mr John Rae and Mr Hugh Archibald were sent
from Stirling-castle to Dumbarton, along with !Mr John Cun-
ningham of Bedlane. The same day Mr John Scot son to
Andrew Scot in Tushilaw, having been imprisoned for writing
to the Rev. Mr John Carstairs in Holland, was brought before
the council, and after examination was set at liberty upon a
bond of 1000 merks to appear when called. From this Bishop
Burnet would make the world believe that there were designs
in Holland to raise a rebellion in Scotland. His words are
these : ' That which gave the Dake of Lauderdale juster

* ground of offence was, that one Carstairs, much employed at
' that time in greater matters, was taken in a ship that came

* from Rotterdam. He himself escaped out of their hands^ but

* his letters were taken. They had a great deal writ in white

* ink, which shewed that the design of s-ending him over was to

* know in w'hat disposition the people were, promising arms
' and other necessaries if they w^erc in a condition to give the

* government any disturbance. But the whole w^as so darkly
' writ, much being referred to the bearer, that it was not pos-
' sible to understand what lay hid under so many mysterious

* expressions.' This must be a very dark story indeed. Jt is
true Mr Scot ^vas imprisoned for corresponding with Mr Car-
stairs, as, after the beginning of the Dutch war, sundry, a-
mongst whom was Mr William Livingston, were brought to
trouble for writing to their friends in Holland. But there is
no ground to assert that there were any such designs as the
bishop represenis ; neither is that historian obliged to his in-
formation, when lie says that Mr Carstairs escaped out of their

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 2(31

hands. When he came home, he did not seek to escape, bu*
on the 3d of September this jear appeared before the council,
and found b^il io appear again whru cJled. under the penalty
of 2000 merks ; after which I find Iktie moro co: ceming him.

As a second indulgence was grjinted on the 3d of September,
I shall now give some account of it. When Lauderdale came
down to Scotland, it was generally said he had one in his
pocket. And as a toleration iiad been granted to the non-con-
formists in England, th.e lilie favour was expected in Scotland,
exclusive of papists ; but the bishops ar.d Lords of council that
were of their party violently opposed it, and many letters v/ere
writ to the court against it. However, Lauderdale had full in-
structions in this matter, though he kept them close, and carried
with great rigour to presbyterian ministers and others. Bi-
shop Burnec says, Lauderdale looked on near two months after
he came dov/n to Scctjand, waiting for an application for li-
berty of conscience ; but the designs of the court were now
clearly seen into. The pre^jbyterians understood they were
only to be made use of in order to the introducing of popery ;
so they resolved to be silent and passive ; upon this he broke
out into fury and rage against them, and carried matters so far,
that when Burnet asked him. Was that a time to drive them
into rebellion ; Yes, says he : would to God they would rebel,
that so he might bring over an army of Irish papists to cut all
their throats — But, savs the historian, he calmed all of a sud-
den.

About twenty ministers met at Edinburgh- on the 8th of
August, and agreed to write to Sir James Dalrymple.of Stair,
now a privy counsellor, on whom they had great dependence,
that the terms of the indulgence might be free from straitening
conditions. But, as they could not agree upon the contents of
the letter, next resolved to send two of their number to repre-
sent their case to Stair. Accordingly Mr Gabriel Cuninghani
and Mr James Kirkton waited upon him, and received very
kind assurances that he would do what he could for them.

Meanwhile, on the 29th of August, Mr John Spruel peti-
tioned the council for his liberty, since he had submitted to
baaishment foreight years, and having come home for his health,
had been taken up for conventicles, though he had never been
at any. His petition was granted upon giving bond and se-
curity to appear v/hen called, under the penalty of 2000 merks.
The same day Mr Hugh Archibald and Mr John Pvlurray, were
set at liberty, only the former was confined to the parish of Gvl-
stoun in the shire of Ayr, and the latter to that of (^Hieensferry,
and both were ordered to abstain from conventicles.
•At length, on the 3d of S'^'ptc-.nbcr, being the Lord's-day,

262 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

the council came to a determination as to the indulgence, and
made the following acts.

Holy-rood-hci/sc^ September 3, 1G72.
' rfflHE lord commissioner, his grace, and the lords of his ma-
-^ jesty's privy council considering the disordtj-. which
have lately been by the frequent and numerous conventicles,
and being willing to remedy so great r.n evil in-tho gentlest
manner that could be thought on, and his majesty's commissioner
being sufficiently instructed herein, they do order and ap-
point the ministers hereafter named outed since the year 1661,
to repair to 'J'e parishes following, and to remain therein con-
lined, permitting and allowing them to preach and exercise the
other parts o^ their ministerial function in the parishes to which
they are or shall be conbned by this present act and commission
after specified, viz. — PaisLy — In Jiglisham parish, with Mr-
James Hamilton, Mr Donald Gavgill." Paisley, w^ith Mr John
Baird, Ivlessi's V/illiam Eccles and Anthony Shaw. Nielstoun,
Messrs Andrew Miller and Jariics VVallace. Kilmacolm, Messrs
Patric^. Simpson and William Thomson. Kilbrachan, Masters
John Stirling and Jamea Walkiushaw. Killellan, Masters James
Hutchiison and yYlexander Jamieson.— /rw/;/. — Newraills, blas-
ters John Eurnet and G';orge Ciimpbell. Fenwick, Masters
Thomas V/ylie and William Slilels. Stewartoun, Masters
William Castlelav/, Andrew Hutchison, and Andrew Mortoun.
Dunlop, JMastcrs Gobriel Cuningham and William Mein.
Largs, Masters John Wallace and Alexander Gordon. Kil-
brydc, IMasters Pvobert Boyd and Gilbert Hamilton. Comray,
Masters Archibald Porteous and.John Rae. Kihvinning, with
Mr Ralph Roger, Mr Robert Ficeming. Irwin, with Mr
George Hutchison, Mr John Law. Kilmarnock, with Mr
Alexander Wedderburn, Masters James Rowat and William
Hay. Kilmawcrs, with Mr George Ramsay, Mr John Park.
Dreghorn, with Mr John Spalding, Mr James Donaldson
Beith, with Mr William I^Iaitland, Mr William Crichton.
Kilbirny, with Mr William Tullidaff, Mr Patrick Anderson.
Ardrossan, with Mr John Bell, Mr James Bell. — ylyr- — Cul-
toun, Mr V/illiam Fullcrton. Riccartoun, Masters Hugh Camp-
bell and Hugh Crawford. Dundonald, Masters John Osburn
and John Hutchison. Mauchlin, with Mr James Veitcli, Mr
Robert Archiba'd. Ochiltree, with Mr Robert Miller, Mr
Patrick Peacock. Galstoun, with Mr Alexander Blair, Mr
Adam Alison. Craigie, Vv'ith Mr David Brown, Mr Robert
Maxwell. Dalganie, with Mr Andrcv/ Dalrymple, Mr John
Campbell. Symington, with Mr John Gemble, Mr Francis
frvine — Kirkcudbright. — Carsphairn,, Masters John Semple and
William Erskine, Kells, with Mr Cant, Mr George Waugh.

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 263

Dairy, with Mr John Macaiichan, Mr Thomas Tliornson..
BahnnclcDan, Masters James Lawrie and Thomas Ven:or, in
place of John Ross v/hen he shall be transported to Stony-kirk.

— Hamilton Avendale, Masters .lames Hamilton and Robert

Young. Glasford, Masters William Hamilton and James Na-
smith. Shots, Masters James Currie and Alexander Eat^i'oii.
Dalserf, Masters Tliomas Kirkaldy and J<ohu Carmichael.
Stonelioiise with Mr John Oliphant, Mr Matthexv Mackell.
Cambnsnethan, with Mr William Violant, Mr Robert Lamb.
Dalziel, with Mr John Lauder, Mr Thomas Melvil. — Lanarh.
— Garlouk, Masters Alexander Livingston and Peter Kid, now
at Carlouk. Carmichael, Masters John Hamilton and Wil-
liam Sommerveli. Culter, Masters Anthony Murray and Ro-
bert Lockhart. Lamington, with Mr John Crawford, Mr
William Bailie. Lesmahago, with Mr Thomas Lawrie, a re-
gular incumbent, Mr James Balderstones. Carstairs, Mastcr.s
James Kirkton and John Greig. — LirJithgow. — West-Caider,
Masters John Knox and Willi;m V/tiv. Borrowstourxness,

Masters Robert Hunter and John Ins;lis, Lothian^ &c.

Lintoun, with Mr Robert Elliot, Mr Robert Elliot, his son.
Oxnam, vith Mr John Scot, Mr Hugh Scot. Hownarn, with

Mr John Stirling, Mr Kev Argyh. — Killern, Masters

Cuiminson and Alexander Maclean. Kilfennan, Mr John Ca-
meron. Campbelton, Masters Duncan Campbell and Edward
Keith. Kilchattan in Lorn, Masters J. Duncanson and A; Mac-
lean. Knapdaie, with Mr Dougal Cam.pbtll a regular incum-
bent Mr Duncan Campbell. South Ivintire, IMr David Simp-
son.

* And yet, notwithstanding the said confinement, tlie
lord commissioner his grace, Sec give full povver — to the lord
chancellor, &c. or any four of tliem, to alter any of tlie per-
sons foresaid from any of the saitl parislics, to another of
those parishes, or to allow and confine other persons in their
j)laces, they always pitching — on some oiited ministers from
that diocese, wlicrcin the parishes, to whicii they are to be
confined do lie ; and allowing none to preach who were ont-
ed before 1662, or being outed since 1661, are under— sen-
tences of any court of this kingdom j with power to the said
commissioners, or their quorum, to confine and to allov/ outed
ministers in the parishes of Tarbolton, Baniwell, Stevenson,
Lochwinnoch, Inchinnen and Mearns ; and that so soon as
the present incumbents in these parishes fchall be provided and
transported to other larks. Kecommending to patrons to give
them presentation at kirks ttint shall vaik j uid particularly to

patron of tiie kirk of Galashiels, to give a presentation

thereto to Mr Alexander George; to patron of theliirk

of Burgiiton, to vn-csent th.creto Mr ^\'i!i!um Nasnjith ; to

264 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

patron of the kirk of Mackie, to present Mr Robcit

Kincaid ; to patron of Gartney to present Mr

Stuart ' The rest of this act relates to the stipends, and

gives assurance to the episcopal clergy that no more shall be
indulged.

The same day the council made another act containing the
rules to be observed b)- all who wei'e indulged. As, I. They
must not marry or baptize except those w ho belong to their
respective parishes, or to any neighbouring parishes if vacant.

2. They must administer the Lord's supper on one and the
same day, and ndmit none to partake with them from other
parishes, without a certificate from the ministers thereof.

3. They must preach only in the church, under the pain of
being punished as keepers of conventicles. 4. They must not
go out of their parishes widiout a licence from the bishop of
the diocese only. 5. That, as to the discipline, all such cases
as w^ere formerly referable to presbyteries must continue still
in the same manner; and where there is no presbytei'ial meet-
ing, that these cases be referred to the presbytery of the next
bounds. 6. That the ordinaiy dues payable to bur.^ers, clerks
of the presbyteries and synods, be paid by the said ministers
as formerly.

There was a third act of council made the same day, relat-
ing to the rcstof tlic ejected ministers not as yet indulged, by
■which they were required to hear the word, and counnunicate
in those parish churches where they resided, or else to remove
to some other parishes, where they can hear and counnuni-
cate, under the pain of imprisonment. This act discharged
all other prcsbvtcrian ministers, except the indulged, from
exercising any part of the ministerial function, under what
punishment the council shall think proper to inflict; and the
sheriffs and other magistrates were commanded to examine
into the conduct of the indulged, with respect to their ob-
serving the rules above mentioned, and make report ever}' six
months, and some time before the first of June ensuing.

When the account of these acts came abroad, many mi-
nisters were dissatisfied. And at a meeting of about thirteen
which wa; held at Edinburgh about a day or two after, it was
proposed, and all the brethren present declared themselves
against it. But this being found to be a matter of general
concern, another meeting was appointed for the '24th of
September, and letters were sent to several ministers in the
country to attend and deliver their sentiments as to this
matter.

Meanwhile, as one great design of the indulgence was the
suppressing of conventicles, so, on the 16th, < the commis-
sioner and council iiave a warrant to the lord chancellor, the

€HAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 265

archbishop of St Andrews, duke Hamilton, tlie earls of
Argyle, Athol, Twceddale, Kincardin, and Dundonald, the
president, register, advocate, treasurer-depute, justice-clerk,
or any four of them, to meet and give orders tor executing
the acts of council aj;;unst the outed mini tors, and for pre-
venting and suppressing conventicles-, and other disturbances
of the public peace oi the church, with power to call persons
before them, commit them to prison, and do all things ne-
cessary tor the.-e emlfe. In difficult cases they are to consult
with tlie council.' But I can give no account of their pro-
ceedings.

To return then to the meeting of ministers at Edinburgh
the 2 1th ot September, tbirty-two met in Mr Thomas Hogg's
room, and agreed that every one should declare his opinion
at the next meeting. Being again assembled at an after meet-
ing, Mr John Inglis was cliosen moderator. When the
qucrtion was put. Whether it v.'as the diity of ministers to go
and exercise their ministrj' at their churches ? four were of
opinion ihat minis'ters ought to go to their churches when
they hud once given their testimony against what was wrong
in the indulgence, two were undetermined, and the rest pre-
sent were in the negative.

W^i: n copies of the council's acts came to the west, there
were sundry nieetings ; and many were for accepting of the
indulgence providing a sufficient testimony vrcre given against
the erastianism theiccJl They all agreed, that but one m.i-
iiister ouglU to go to one parish, except in those places wiiere
formerly there had beer. two. There were great debates con-
cerning the testimony to be givc'i in to the state At last
Mr William Violant and Mr Alexander Wedderburn were
appointed to drav,- ujj a paper to this purpose. The}^ com-
plied, and their pa})er, after some amendments, was generally
liked at a meeting held at Irwin, in the month of October. I
shall give the reader the following abstract of it.

Grievances as to the indulgence.

1. \^^ E the ministers of Jesus Christ, who havebccn debarretl
* ^ Irom our respective flocks — and restrained from the
free exercise of our ministry these many years, do, with alt
thankfulness, ac^inowledgc his most excellent majesty's royal fa-
vour in granting tosome of usthepublicexerciseof our ministry ;
— yet considering the offered indulgence, as contrived in the
complex, and cast in its present mould in three acts of coun-
cil, to be clogged with many involven)cnts contrary to our
}n'incip1es and conscieiices, and with many inconveniences as
lo our persons r.nd ftjmilies, v.wd to the congreg;)tioiiSj both

266 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

from which we arc sej3arated and to whicli we are assigned,
we are exceedingly straitened in our liberty to accept of the
same, — because the whole draught — appears to be nolliing but
the actual exercise of erastianism, in so far as the council is
pleased, not only todisj)osc of persons and placeS) but to make
application of persons to places for the exercise of tiieir mi-
nistry, as if it were proper to the magistrate to judge of the
spiritual state and condition of the people, of the qualifications
of ministers, — and to ibrm and prescribe rules; so that the
— yielding to these acts may bo interpreted an homologating
willi and subjecting ourselves to erastianism, contrary to our
known judgments in these matters.

II. i'hough we disallow all tumultuary and seditious meet-
ings, which the meetings of the Lord's people for hearing his
woril cannot be reputed — we are not a little grieved that the
luu-rative of this present act seems to involve the accepters
into an ihterpi-etative condemning of the same, which we
dare not.

III. Albeit there be a very great necessity of a free call
from the people, — yet the indulgence, as contrived, deprives
the people of a liberty of a free election, in so for as ministers
are designed for them, and, by the council's act, peremptorily
confined lo the parishes, without so much aa the previous
knowledge of the people; and so a necessity is laid upon the
people; either to tall the confined, or want a minister.

IV. This way offers violence to that special relation that is
betv.een pastors and jx^oplc, — so that ministers formerly by
violence pulled away from tlicir fiix;ks, — are still kept divor-
ced from one another, though ihis union and relation, being
made up only by Jesus Christ acting in and by his church,
can never be regularly diosolved by any other authority— than
that v/hich made it.

V. This — will prove grievous to the most part of the king-
dom. 1 . In that their own pastors are, without nece^^sity,
shut up from them in a corner, jit a time v.hen profanity, po-
pery and quakerism are — sprea.ding through the land. — 2. In
that the })eoplc will have several necessary duties to perform
for the aceonnnodation and encouragement of two, which tliey
will judge needless, one being sulHcient for the charge. —
a. It will prove atilicting to many brethren, in that, by it,
they are obtruded upon other men's labours, without a neces-
sity, to the detriment of the necessary maintenance of them
and their families. —

VI. We acknowledge that the magistrate hath the power of
confinement, and of all other — external punishments in aciu
signato, — but when lie is to apply that pov/er in acfu exercito,
— we humblv conceive that the law of God, — of nature, — of

GIIAt». IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 26 T

nations, and of the land, requires an orderly j-voccdurey

and allows the party the benefit of defence. But here, 1. This
sentence contaiiu-; punishment against persons without citations
or — conviction of any crime or guilt, the like whereof is not
done to the grossest of all ill-doers. 2. This sentence is drawn
out,notagainst one person or two, but against all iheprebyterian
ministers in the kingdom, a ver}' fe^^' excepted, which make*
the practice without — a precedent in any reformwl church.
3. The acts carry hot only a confinement of our persons, — but
of our ministrj', and we are hereby — bound up from the dis-
charge of tho;^-e dul* 's we owe to oiu* national church, and de-
prived not only of all benefit of mutual converse — in- presby-
teries, but also of more private communion with one another :
— all of which are — the more grievous to us, as they are trysted
at a tiuje wh(.:n papist*: and cuakers are so vigorously driving
on their desi!i;ns, vN/csiout — any real or effectual restraint j)ut
upon them.:— Though we know our confinement will put no
stain upon iis in the account of many — people,— yet the na-
ture and tendency of it is weakening to the necessary repu-
tation of minist'-/.; of Christ among the pco})le, in that, by the
same breath, ministers are permitted — to preach, and yet sen-
tenced as evil doers — ar.d aii who get not a call iVom the
people — will be exposed to far gi-eater difriculties and sut-
ferings than formerly. —

VII. The declaration, in the close of the first act, will prove
a grievous — stroke to the peaceably disposed people of the
kingdom, wlio have been longing lor their pastors. — when by
it they shall see all hopes cut off of ever recovering them
again.

VIII. Vv^e will not fall on a particular consideration of the
rules of the 2d act, — which we cannot approve of, unless v.e
would renounce our principles. — Ail of tliem appear to be
fi'amcd in lavour of the conformed party, and to the disadvan-
tage both of ministers and people of the presbytcrian per-
suasion.— And as the wh.oie draught is, at least, an interpre-
tative subjection to erastianism, so the fifth ami last rules, but
especially the fifth, thrusts ns under a direct and formal sub-
jection to prelacy. —

IX. We .shall not mention Ijow this is disrelished by the
most part — who — adhe.'o to the pure government of the
cimrch of Scotland j but the peremptory order given to she-
rilFs, and magistrates, to inquire hov/ the ministers confined
and allowed to preach do ob.serve the-e rules, shcv.s that the
ministers who fail — v.lll be uiidoubtedly censured, :iccording
to their supposed demerits, and we, being straitened in our,
conscience to give obedience to these canons, judge it will be
— provoking to the magistrate, prejudicial to llic people, ail'4

26B THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

hurtful to ourselves, to step in, and within a short time to be
thiustOLit again for our contravention.

They conclude vvitli a humble request for the removal of
the penal statutes, and for liberty without such restraints as
are burdensome to their consciences and inconsistent with their
pi'jnciples

About the end of October, Mr Gabriel Cuningham with
some others were sent to Edinburgh with this paper, to see if
the brethren in the oast, who a]3pearcd most averse to the in-
dulgence would concur with them in it. When Mr Cu-
nhigham presented it to them, they who \tere against the in-
dulgence took it for a paper of reasons why tli^i indulgence
shoiild not be complied v/ith, and so it became the sub-
ject of debate. But viewing it more narrowly, and find-
ing that it was a complaint of grievances, upon the present-
ing olvvhich to the council the complainers reserved to corn-
ply with the indr.lgence, the meeting divided upon it. They
that were against the indulgence said, that tlus was a smooth
way to help forv. : rd ministers who were clear to theii churches.
The others comj^lained that the other party would not join
with them in a testimony against what both reckoned sinful
in the manner of granting the indulgence. They who could
not conijily answered, they were willing to testify jointly with
them against what evils appeared in the indulgence, providing
all would stand out and not acce})t Sundry meetings were
spent in these debates. Their last meeting was on the 23d of
December, when they came to no agreement, so that the
above paper was dropt. A good number of the ministers en-
tered into the churches where they had been formerly, and
others upon a call, where the congregation was vacant, with
the consent of the minister's of die bounds. And, since all
hopes of a joint testimony w^as lost, several gave it from the
pulpit upon their first entrance, declaring agairist the erastian-
ism in the indulgence. And some of them IlII under no small
difliculties on tliis head, as we shall relate in its proper place.

During these debates, on the .>th of December, William
Poterfield of Quarreltoun, having been a long time in prison
ibr his accession to Pentland, joetitioned tor liberty on account
of his indisj)osition and the great poverty'to which he was re-
duced, lie was accordingly sent from Edinburgh prison to
JDumbarton castle, and was suffered to go abroad in the day
time upon giving bond and security under 10,000 merks to
repair to liic castle every night. During the last year and this,
the lands oi Barscob and those oi' Mr Gabriel Maxwell, with
the estates of Hugland and Bediane, were all forfeited (m ac-
count of Pentland

i^cvcral meaner persons sufiercd during the course of this

CHAP. XI. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 269

year A poor parishioner of Abbotsrule was taken to be a
soldier for not kearing the curate, and upon refusing was fined
in lOOl. Scots. John Kanken and James Dunlop in Eglisham,
James Brown in Muirzet, and John Foulis in Mearns, were
brought in prisoners to Edinburgh for alledged corresponding
with and receiving of some concerned in riots upon ministers.
The Earls of Dumfries and Dundonald were appointed to
examine into the affair.

Matters were managed much the same way through
the year 1673. But such was the partiality of the times to
nome, that though Mr Archibald Beeth, curate in Arran, had
shot one Allan Gardiner merchant in Irvine, for which he
was condemned to be hanged ^t the cross of Edinburgh, yet
he was pardoned, and his remission read in council on the 9lh
of January.

On the 6th of February the council, in consequence of a
petition from Mr Robeit Hunter now minister at Borrovv-
stounness, ordered the stipend of the parish of Dinming, for
the two last years which he served in that parish, to be paid
him, and that letters of horning be directed for that effect.

On the '20th of that month they ordered the chancellor for
Fife, and Duke Hamilton for the west country, to inquire what
magistrates and counsellors for burghs had not signed the de-
claratitm ; and on the 7th of March, upon receiving a com-
plaint that Mr Row, who had been translated from Bahna-
clellan to the parish of Stonykirk, was hindered from taking
possession of it, ordered the cause to be inquired into; but no
prosecution followed. How at this time turning papist.

As the second indulgence, of which I have given a pretty
large account, was attended with no small difficulties to those
ministers who accepted of it, it involved the rest of the ejected
ministers, who could not comply, in great distress ; and some
have thought it would have been a great happiness if none had
accepted it, but strenuously adhered to their presbyterian co-
venanted principles. Tfiere were many named who did not
and could not comply : Wherefore, on the 7th of March, the
council, resolving to force them to tiieir confip.einents in those
parishes allotted for them, ordered all the oiUed ministers to
remove five miles from Edinburgh, unless they immediately
gave bond not to keep conventicles. And, on the 12th, such
ministers as had not entered on their confinements were called
before the council. There appeared Messrs Geo. Waugh,
Robert Young, James Kirktoun, James Donaldson, Robert
Lockhart, Matthew M'Kail, Patrick Anderson, Alexander
Barton, Jam.es Hamilton, and William Thomson, and were
appointed to repair to their respective parishes of confineme; t
by the first of June ncT^j^ under the pain of bciMg apprehend-

270 fun HisTOKY OF THE chap; IX.

■ed as dt5]")iscr3 of (he king's r.utliority. Orders were dt the
same time g-ivcn to the kino's forces, sheriffs and magistrates,
to seize them wherever they could be found, if they did not
obey this appointment. They generally thanked the coimcil
for the time allowed thcni, and promised to take the matter
inulcr serious consideration, lint when Mr Yoimg came be-
fore them, lie complained of his having been unjustly turned
out of hi.^ charge by Bishop Sliarji, and begged their loi'dships
to consider it. The bishoj) rose up, and alleged that he had
been orderly and justly deposed by him and the synod of Fife.
Mr Young otlerccl to prove upon his peril, by the date of his
sentence, that he was deposed before the synod met. Never-
theless the chanceilor, without taking any notice of Ids com-
plaint, tokl him it was the council's pleasure he should go to
his confmomont by the 1st of June. He' ansv/crcd, That he
was son-y that such a sentence vvas passed fo;f no other reason
than their pleasure, and immbly protested that it might not
prejudge him of reparnticn of the v.rong done him by the
bishop, and that his obedience to the council's pleji^^urc should
not iiivolve him in anv apjirobation of the complex act of in-
dulgence. jNIcssrs Robert ^laxweli, John Law, William Weir,
James Walkinshavv', Alexander Jamicson and James Wallace,
■wei-e called, but being absent the matter was delayed.

About this time a great turn of aliairs happesied in Eng-
land, by which the measures of the cabal were disconcerted,
whose great project v^as, as has been related, to establish po-
pery and render the king absolute. But, soon after the par-
liament met, the commons addressed the king to recal his
declaration, since penal laws, in matters ecclesiastical, cannot
be suspended but by act of parliament; and, perceiving his
majesty not inclined to this, they stopt their money-bill.
Whereupon the king, being in want of money, was easily per-
siuidcd to give up his indulgence, contrary to the advice of
the cabal : and accordingly, on the Sth of March he called for
th.e declaration, and broke the seal with his own hands. This
pleased the commons, but disgusted the cabal. Arlington had
in sonie measure deserted tliem before ; but vvhen Shaftsbury
saw how unsteady his majesty was, he concluded that he was
not to be trusted ; and so, from being the head of the cabal,
he became the head of the country-jvarty. Immediately after
this change in the carl of iShaftsbury, the commons passed the
test act, intitlcd, An art Jar ■preventive the dangers -Jchich maij
happen from popisit reeumnfs ,- which h.aving i-cceivc<l the royal
assent, most of the Roman catholic oiiicers quitted their
places. 'J'he i)ukc of York resigned the oHice of lord high
■admiral, and Clifibrd that of high- treasurer. Thus the cabal
was divi;ded. But the king adjourn^P'- the parliament to tlu*

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 2? 1

20th of October, and from thence to the ii7th, in order to de-
feat several bills which were disagreeable to liim.

Had the mmiagers in Scotland followed the example of the
commons of England, instead of prosecuting their Protestant
brethren, at the instigation of a pack of impious prelates, re-
ligion would have flourished, and a stop had been put to the
growing jirogress of popei-y. It is true a clogged indulgence
was granted, wiiicli many faithful ministers could not in con-
science comply with. But then, to gratify the bishops, a most
rigorous proclamation was emitted against conventicles, requir-
ing all heritors, life-renters, and wadsetters to inform the coun-
cil, or the sheriff of the shire, steward of the stcwartiy, &c. of
liouse or field conventicles kept within the bounds of iheir re-
spective lands ; and signifying, that if they do not give such in-
formation in three days after the conventicle is kept, they shall
be fined in the fourth part of the yearly valued rent of their
whole lands within the shire where the conventicle shall be
kept ; one third part of which was for the sherili", and the
other for the informer, and the rest for the king's use. Which
fuiious proclamation occasioned very terrible oppression in
many places.

Two days before this Mr Robert Gillespie was lycf(;re the
council, and ovvned he had kept one conventicle in the town
of Falkland ; but refusing to inform against any present, was
ordered to l)e sent prisoner to the Bass, where he continued
till the begimjing of next year, when he was let out for some
time on accom;t of his health.

On the 7th of May a letter from the king, dated the 29th
of April, v/as read in council, signifying that the States, with
whom he was at war, had a design to raise troubles in the
west of Scotland, and therefore requiring them to suppress'
conventicles, and secure the west country. Upon this letters
were v/rote to Duke Hamilton, and the Earls of Eglintoun
and Cassils. But it is plain the king had not more loyal
subjects than these who were now persecuted, wljo complied
with every thing becoming faithful subjects, so t'nat there was
not the least ground for any innuendos of this nature.

When the 'i9th of May came, the bishops got another
handle for oppressing the presbytcrian ministers. None
of the indulged observed this anniversiiry. Jf indcetl their
week-days sermon fell on that diiy, they preached as usual,
but without taking n€)tice of tliat solemnity. And therefore,
on the 12th of June, letters were by the council diiected
against them in the shii'cs of Ayr, Eai';ai k, and Kirkcuilbright.

The same day anotlicr let;:er, dated tlie 31st of May, came
from his maj'esty to the council, approving of their conduct as
to the indulge*!, and requiring th.cm to prosecute tho;C who

272 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

would not comply ; and, for preserving peace and order with-
in tlie diocese ot" Glasgow, to give a commission to Duke Ha-
milton, the Earls of Linlithgow, Dimnrics, and Dundonald,
and the president, or any two of them, to put in execution the
laws and acts of council in relation to church-affairs, and to
inquire into v,hat disorders have been, or may be committed
within that diocese, and to call before them sheriffs, justices,
&c. who have been or shall be negligent in executing the laws
against conventicles, deserting the kirks, irregular baptisms
and marriages, &c. When this letter was read in council,
all the members were not pleased with it, especially with the
commission they were ordered to give; so that it was the
end of July beiore a return was made, which shall be related
in its proper place.

Meanwhile the council, on the i9th of June, recommended
to the lords oi^ session to grant no suspensions upon sentences
passed on account of church- irregularities, that so nothhig
might hinder their ccecutioii.

About the end of June, Mr Alexander Peden, late minister
of New Gienluce in Galloway, a man cf singular piety, zeal,
and faithfulness, and of whom many remarkable things are
related, was a]>j)rchended b}' Major Coekburn in the house
of Hugh Fergusim of Kuockdow ii. Carrick, M'ho liiid oblig-
ed him to stay that night in his house, i'hey were both car-
ried prisoners to Edinburgh On the 2nth of June the coun-
cil ajii)0!nted the register and advocate to examine him ; and,
upon their report, he was sent to the Bass, where he con-
tinued to the year 1678. Mr Ferguson was lined in 1000
merks for harbouring and convershig with him; and the
council ordered Z0\. sterling to be paid to Coekburn out of
the fines, and 2.'1. to be distributed at his pleasure among the
soldiers under his connnand. Mr Patrick Simjjson, the in-
dulged minister at Kilmacolm, sent him and the other pri-
soners a charitable supply of money, for which ISIr Peden af-
terwards thanked him.

About this time bcgnn the prosecution of the indulged mi-
nisters for not observing the 29th of May. On the 3d of
July many of them appealed and owned they had not obser-
ved that day, and wdre not clear in their own minds to keep
any anniversary holidays of hmnan institution. While they
were before the council some of them were interrogated as to
other diingsj bcsitles the anniversory, such as their ba;)tizing
children in the parishes of confoimists without tcstimonia.ls, and
^flhey had observed the council's instructions which were sent
them will) acts of indulgence ; and when one of them answer-
ed, that he had not seen the instructions spoke of, hew.-istold
bv the cliancclior, that tliat had been u neglect, but ihey should
1

CHAP. iX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 27l>

all see them ; and accordingly they were oi'dered to attend on
the 8th for that puq^ose, and to receive their sentence for not
observing the '^9lh of May.

Meanwhile the ministers had frequent meetings among them-
selves, to consult how to act when the instructions shoidd bo
delivered to them. A i)a|)er was drawn up by way of testi-
mony ; but they not agreeing to subscribe it, Mr George Hut-
chison was appointed to sjK-ak, in the name of the rest, the
sense of these impositions, in case they were intimated to them.
But then some condemned their conduct in not fixing the time
when Mr Hutchison should have delivered their seiUiments,
^that being left to his own prudence; for they thought he
should have delivered his own and the sentiments of his bretli-
ren when ever the council's instructions w^ere proposed to be
presented. Odiers again thought it was time enough when Mr
Hutchison himself should be called for. However, as the in-
.structions related to them all, and as a testimony was judged
proper against every unlawful incroachmcnt upon the exercise
ot their ministry, I leave it to the reader to judge whether this
should not have been delivered before any o^ne of their number
had leceived them. But to come to matter of fact.

On the 8th of July the following ministers appeared before
the council, viz. Messrs Anthony Murray, John Hamilton,
John Olijihant, James Curry, John Lauder, John Stirling,
James Hutcheson, John Eccles, Andrew Dalrymple, Jolni
Gemble, Hugh Campbell, Alexander Blair, James Veitch, John
Hutcheson, Robert Millar, George Ramsay, John Bell, Ralph
Roger, William Tullidafi", George ilutdieson, Jolm Spalding,
John Wallace, and vVilliam Maitland, and were fined in. the
half of their stipend for the crop and year 1673, except the
three last, who preached on that day. And Messrs John Craw-
ford, John Baird, and ^Villiam Fullerton not appearino- were
denounced rebels. ^

This being done, the lords, on the same day, ordered the
instructions to be delivered openly to the ministers present,
that none might pretend ignorance. A list of them was drawn
up, and every one was called in order of the list, and asked if
he had a copy of his instructions; if he had he was dismissed,
but if not the clerk delivered him a copy. It happened that
Mr Hutcheson's name was towards the end oflhe list ; and he
not offering to speak tiH his name should be called, some be-
gan to question whether he woukl speak at all, and therefore
resolved to spealc for themselves.

Accordino-ly, when the clerk delivered the paper to ]\Ir
Alexander Blair, minister at Galstoun, he being moved with
zeal, and remembering whose ambassador he was, told the
council plainly, that he coukl receive no instructions i'row. thcra

VOL. 1. i<,

274- fKE HISTORY OF THE CHAJP. IX.

to regulate him In the exercise of his ministry, otherwise he
slioukl not be Christ's ambassador but theirs ; and then he let
their instructions drop out of his hand, knowing no other
salvo or manner of testifying for the truth. This plain dealing
so exasperated them, that they immediately ordered him to
be committed to prison, where he continued till near the end
of the year, when, by reason of his sickness, he was let out,
upon finding security in the sum of 5000 merks that he should
re-enter in a month's time ; but his indisposition continuing,
his liberty was lengthened for another fortnight, and before
that expired his glorious Master sent and rescued him from
the rage of his persecutors, and the reproaches of his desert-
ing brethren ; and the sound of. Well done good and faithful
servant filling his ears, made him shut his eyes singing, and
give up the ghost wit!i joy, and in full assurance of faith.

Sundry of his brethren looked upon his testimony as unsea-
sonable ; but whether it had not been better for them all to
])ave unanimously joined him in the same open and free de-
claration, must be left with the reader. When Mr Hutchi-
son was called he discoursed concerning the difference h-etv.een
the civil arid church government, and their different powers
formal and objective, intrinsic and extrinsic, and endeavoured
to qualify what Mr Blair had said. But it is plain that they
who could not com})ly with the indulgence never questioned
the magistrate's lawful authority. After Mr Blair was impri-
soned, Mr Hutchison and some others went to the chancellor,
and other counsellors, and spoke to the same purpose with
him, and begged favour for him ; but that was not granted i
for the chancellor told them, it was not the matter but the
manner of his speaking that had irritated them.

On the 10th of July, Messrs John Macmichan of Dairy,
John Scmple at Carsphairn, and John Cant of Kells, were
fmcd for not observing the anniversary.

On the 25th the connnission to the five p'ersons mentioned
in the king's letter of the 31st of May was agreed upon, and
the council at the same time wrote to his majesty, signifying,
< that he had granted the commission apjiointed \ but humbly
' proposed that his majesty would consider, whether the right
• setding the affairs of the church and public peace in the dio-
' cese of Glasgow- be proper to be left in the hands of so few.'
It was some time before they had a return.

Meanwhile, on the 31st, they fined Messrs John Scot at
Oxnam, James Fletcher at Newthery, and Robert Mow^at at
Herriot, as above, lor not keeping the 29th of May. The
same day Mr Alexander Wedderburn was connnitted to prison
because he confessed that he had preached and prayeil in h.\<

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 2 i H

own hoviRO, several being present be»i(les his own family, till
lie either found security, under 5000 merks, not to keep ano-
ther conventicle, or take upon him a voluntary banishment.
However,* in about a month's time they ordered him to be
confined to the town of Kihnarnock.

And on the said 3 1st of July they ordered a party of the
guards to bring in Mr William Weir, the indulged minister at
West Calder, prisoner to the tolbooth of Edinburgh, because, ,
for satisfying his conscience, he received a call from some of
the heritors and people. In his first sermon he declared his
adherence to the solemn league and covenant, and did not
acknowledge the power either of king or bishop in matters
belonging to the church of Chi-ist. In short, he preached
against the supremacy, prelacy and anniversary holy-days of
human appointment. This plainly shewed that the council,
by their act of indulgence, aimed, among other things, at the
establishment of the supremacy and prelacy ; so, that the very
speaking against these things was judged criminal. How far
then they v.ho kept silence are to be justified, I leave with the
reader. Mr Weir soon after this went to Ireland, where he
continued till 1687, when he was called to his former charge
at Linlithgow, where he remained till his death in July 1695.

The gentlemen formerly mentioned, as Kersland, Blaiket,
Qiiarreltoun, Bedlane, and others imprisoned for non-con-
formity, weie this year continued in their prisons. But the
severity against Sir Andrew Kennedy of Clawburn, after tliQ
revolution lord conservator in the Low Countries, is not to bo
omitted -, for, on the 20th of August, he was, by a sentence
of the justiciary, denounced a rebel, ordained to be put to the
horn, and his moveable goods confiscated for his majesty's use.
The sentence bears that Mr Robert Macward late minister at
Glasgow, Mr Robert Trail at Edinburgh, Mr John Living-
ston at Ancrum, Mr John Brov.'n at Wamphray, and others,
having retired to Holland, had contrived most treasonable
designs against his majesty's person and government, and for
involving their country in the calamities of a civil war ; and,
in order to this, had composed sundry seditious books and
pamphlets, as Naphtali, Jus popidi vindicaturn^ 8:c. and sent
them to be dispersed through the country, to confirm those
of their own principles, and to seduce others ; that they stir-
red up the States to make war against the king •, and sent
home or endeavoured to send home, arms,8cc. had kept corres-
pondence wiih disloyal and seditious persons, among whom
the said Mr Andi'ew Kennedy w^as employed j that he had re-
ceived and dispersed the said books, &c. kept correspondence
with them, and otherwise promoted their designs, and so wu*
accessaiy to the crimes of treason, and was in absence sen-
2

276 THE HISTOUV OF THE CHAP. 1?I.

tenced as above. The reader is here to observe, that this'
sentence was grounded on notorious falsehoods ; for the mini-
sters above mentioned never stirred up the States to war, nor ^
jMomiscd the least assistance in Scotlaiul And though some
of them were the authors of the books mentioned, yet the
books speak for themselves ; and what is said concerning Mr
Kennedy's dispersing those books is absolutely false

Many were the exorbitant fines that were imposed upon
gentlemen in the shires of Dumbarton, Lanark, Ayr, Galloway,^
Dumfries, and Renfrew. To give the reader a specnncn oi
the oppressions of some of the king's best subjects, merely for
non-conformity, I shall in this place sul^oin an account of
the fines imposed on sou^.e gentlemen in the shire of Renfrew
alone. Thus,

Sir George Maxwell of Newark, for three
years al^sence from his parish-church,
3 -. ,2001. For a weekly conventicle dur-
ing that time, 62,4-OOL For three dis- L. s. d.
orderly baptisms, KJOOk in all - - - - 9-l,800 0 0
The laird of Duchal, now Porterfields, for

the like atrocious crime - - - - - 84-,400 0 0
AVilliani Curingham of Carncurran - - 15,833 6 8

John Maxwell of Dargavel 18,900 0 0

Tohn Brisbane of Freeland 3.900 0 0

Gavin Walkinshaw of that ilk - - - - . 12,429 0 0
Sir John Maxwell of Nether-pollock - - 93,600 0 0
Matthew Stewart in Mearns ----- 6,399 0 0

John Pollock of Falside - - 3,510 0 0

James Hamilton of Langtoun 18,4-27 0 0

Mr James Pollock of Balgray - - - - - 15,833 6 8

Extending ill all to 368,031 13 1

And in sterling to 30,669 6 1

A monstrous sum to be imposed uixm eleven pei-sons in one
ghire ; and, had the whole sum been knied, the gentlemen
must have been ruined. There was a composition inade, and
Ihey were greatlv harrassed till it was exactly paid. My
author could not give the date when these fines were laid on;
b'ut, as this was the third year since they were enacted by the
parliament, he inserts them in this place. And, as the tacts
are certain, the impartial reader cannot, I am persuaded,
tliink of such a government without abhorrence.

These hardships and severities opened the eyes of several

niuiistcrs who had conformed to prelacy, to see the evil ol

ilicir way. We related the conduct of the two excellent

■brt)thcrs, Masters Alexander and John Carmichael. This

CHAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. '2.1 t

year the Rev. Mr Tlionias Forester minister at Alva, and af-
ter the revohition profosor of divinity at St Andrews, having
liad {"or sonic time, several difHcnltics in his own mind con-
cerning cont'orniity, abandoned prelacy. He had ever since
ihe beginning of this year deserted their meetings ; and there-
fore, on the 7th of Angust, the clerk of the presbytery of
Stirling, by their order, sent him a letter, finding fault for his
non-attendance, and ordering him to attend at their next
meeting on the 26th. To which Mr Forester in a letter,
gave in his reasons why he could not attend ; as, ' 1 . Because

* it was evident, by the then standing acts relating to religion
' and church-government, that all power or jurisdiction in the

* church, or its assemblies, was fountained in, derived from,
' or ultimately referable into the magistrate's civil power,

* whicli, says he, I judge to be contrary to the word of God,

* the confessions of reformed churches, and our own church's

< judgment; consequently the keeping of the meetings, a

* badge of the acknowledgment of the lawfulness of this
' frame to be unlawful, this frame of church-government be-

< ing clearly proved unlawful by such as have written against

* erastianism. 2. Because I find, since our first reformation,

* several oaths, vows, and solemn engagements upon this

< church and nation, against the prclatic frame of govern-
' ment, tlie obligations whereof I could never find convin-
' cingiy disproved, but upon some search am persuaded that

< the same are still binding on the nations and posterity. 3.
' Upon some search into the controversy of church govern-

* mcnt, I have for a considerable time entertained the per-

* suasion of the unlawfulness of the prelatic frame, as contrary

< to the prescriptions set down in the word. If these founda- -

* tions hold, the unlawfulness of the meetings cannot be ques-
« tioned, and, so long as I am thus persuaded, I cannot at-

< tend upon them in faith.'

These reasons he enlarged, illustrated, and abundantly
confirmed in a long paper which he sent to the brethren of the
exercise, which the reader will find iii Wodrov/s appendix to
Book II. No. 66. which I cannot insert in this place. Ml'
Forester wsis upon this obliged to quit his charge at Alva.
Then he joined the persecuted presbyterians, and preached,
or according to the dialect of these limes, kept conventicles,
as he had occasion, which brought upon him the rage of the
persecutors, as shall be related m-lhe course of the tbllowin"-
year.

On the third of September, the council had a leller from
Ills majesty, wherein he complains that the outed ministers
l)ad not been cited in the terms of his letter of the 31st of
May ; and tells them, that the power of the five proposed

27S THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. fX.

was not at all privati\tj of the council's power. la sliort, in
the close, the commission was dropt, and the council warned
to take special care of the diocese of Glasgow. Several were
pleased with this, and immediately all the ejected ministers
in and about Edinburgh were called to hear their sentence to
repair to the parishes of their confinement; and power was
given to the chancellor and Larl of Athol to antliorizo
whom they pleased to apprehend all who had been at field-
conventiclcs, and either send them to Edinburgh, or oblige
them to find security for their appearance.

Next day, those ejected ministers, who had no particular
parish assigned, were ordered to repair to such parishes as
should be named by the council. Accordingly Mr John
Park was ordered to confine himself to the pnrisli of Kil-
mawers, Mr John Knox to AVest-caldcr, Messrs Robert
Fleming, Thomas Hogg, John Liddcrdale and Alc:j:ander
Hutchison, not appearing, were ordered to be apprehended
wherever they should be found. And on the 30th of Sep-
tember, sentence was passed against all the ejected ministers
who had not accepted the indulgence, except two or three
who made some excuse, and they were ordered to be de-
nounced on the fith of November ; this was the case particu-
larly with Messrs Wilham Mein, James Donaldson, and
William Creighton. But Messrs James Kirkton, Robert
Lockhart, John M^augh, and Thomas Melvil were excused.

But the ministers who continued in the country, and could
not comply with the council's orders, were brought to no
small difficulties. About eight of them met together, and
drew up the reasons of their non-compliance, among whom
was the Rev. Mr John Burnet, minister at Kilbrydc near
Glasgow, who, lieing summoned before the council, could not
appear on account of his bodily indisposition. Nevertheless
he thought it his duty to give an open and plain account of
his reasons to the council, and therefore drew them up in
writing to be presented ; but though his sickness, of which
he died about the end of" this year, prevented this, yet he sent
the paper to the chancellor without altering its form or
style. As he left it as his testimony, it is fully recorded in
the history of indulgence, from whence I give the following
large abstract tliereof.

* TOEING called before his majesty's privy-council, to give
-*^ an account of the reasons v.hy I have not accepted of
this present indulgence — I shall permit these things briefly.
1. That it is well known, — that the constitution and go-
vernment of this — church of Scotland, for many years, and
particularly in the year 1660, was framed according to the

CH.\?. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 279

word of God, confirmed by many — laws of the kingdom, and
solemnly sworn to by all ranks within the same, 2. It is also
found — that this ancient and apostolic government is wholly
overturned in its very species and kind — by the introduction
of lorldy prelacy. — 3. The sad effects of these things are con-
spicuously apparent on the face of the church this day, such
^s involving the land in great backsliding and defection ; the
abounding ignorance and atheism, — the increase of popery
and error, — the sharp sufferings of many of his majesty's
loyal subjects, &c. 4. Whatever power sound — divines ac-
knowledge the magistrate to have, — in a troubled and extra-
ordinary state of the church, yet it is not yielded — that he
may any ways alter its wan-antably established government,
and so turn that same troubled and perplexed state of the
church, made so by himself, to be the subject of his magisterial
authoritative care and operation. 5. That I be not mistaken,
denying to his majesty his just power in ecclesiastic matters,
I, — with great alacrity, acknowledge that the civil magistrate
hath a power circa sacra, which power is objectively ecclesias-
tic, so as he, by his royal authority, may enjoin, that "whaiso-
ever is commanded hy the God qfhea~ocn may be diligently, done
for the house of the God of heaven ; .which power also is by
God's ap]iointment only cumulative and auxiliary to the
chrrch, not privative nor destructive, and is to be exercised
always in a civil manner. As to the reasons of ray not ac-
ceptance— they are,

1. That our Lord Jesus Christ, Mediator, the king and
lawgiver of his own church, hath committed all ministerial
authority, for government of his house, to his own church-
officers, as the first proper subject and receptacle of it, John
XX. 21. Matth. xxviii. 18, 19, 20. 2 Cor. x. 8. But— the act
explanatory of his majesty's supremacy in the cluirch (where-
upon the act of huUilgence is grounded) doth not only claim
the power to belong of light to his majesty and his succes-
sors, as an inherent privilege of the crov/n, but doth actually
also invest him with the formal exercise thereof in his own
person, and that — he may convey it to others, as in his royal
wisdom he shrJl think fit -, for his majesty is pleased to design
and make application of ministers to congregations, and that
without tlie previous call of the people and power of the pres-
bytery -, — to frame and prescribe ecclesiastical rules relating
to the exercise of the ministerial office, and appoint a com-
mission to plant and transplant ministers as they shall think
fit, notwithstanding it hath been unanswerably evinced, that
presbyterial government is founded on the word of God, and
confirmed otherwise abundantly.

-SO THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

II. Aitl)ougli I freely— condemn all — seditious nieelings,
(among whom it is sad -that the peaceable meetings of the
Lord's people for worship — should be reckoned) yet I am eo
convinced — of the Lord's blessing attending the })reaching of
tlie gospel, though not in a parish-church, that I judge the
narrative of the first act to go near to involve my acce[)tancc
of this indulgence, as being an interpretative condemning of
the sai&i meetings.

Ill There is a standing relation between me and another
flock, over which 1 was set by the appointment ot .Jesus
Christ ip his word, which tic can never really be dissolved by
any other power than that which at first did make it up ami
give it a being. And after I liad ten years during the Eng-
lish usurpation, wrestled in opposition to Quakers and inde-
pendentb, 1 was, without any ecclesiastic sentence, thrust from
the public exercise of my ministry in that place, where there
will be 1200 examinable persons, of which there were never
50, CO this day, who have subjected themselves to him wlio is
called the regula?- incumbent. — Xow w hat a door is hereby
opened to error, atheism, and protaneness ^ — And what a grief
must it be to those to have their own lawi'ul pastor shut up in a
corner? — Or how can any new relation subsist between another
flock and me, by virtue of an act of a mere civil judicature .•*
Besides, the people in whom I have present interest are ut-
tei-ly rendered hopeless by a clause in the end of the first act.
That the indulgence is not hereafter to be extended to any
other congregation than those mentioned in the act, whercofj
they in that })arish are none.

IV. Ihough I will not — debate the magistrate's sentence of
confinementj yet — there are so many things attending the ap-
plication of it to my person, that it cannot be expected 1
.should give that obedience to it which might infer my own
consent or approbation ; for, 1. This confinement — is a very
sharp punishment as it is circumstantiated 2. All jmnisii-
ments — ought to relate to some cause or crime, and cannot bo
done arbiliarily without ojipression. Acts xxv. 27. — yet I am
sentenced and sent in fetters to a congregation, without so
much as being charged witli any crime. S. If my confine-
ment relate not to any crime, it must needs relate to a design,
viz. that 1 should preach, &c. wholly at the appointment and
disposal of the civil magistrate. — Now this design, however
closely covered, I dare not in conscience, yea, I cannot (with
the ])r(SL'rValion of my^ — i)rinciplcs) concur with, or consent
thereto. 4. By the confinement 1 am put to an open shame
before the world, and particularly in that }>lace where I am
permitted to piouch tlie gospel; for what weiglit can' my
preaching or ministerial acts ot discipline and government have.

CIIAP. IX. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 281

while I myscir am—dealt with as a malefactor anJ trans-
gressor, a rebel or traitor tomyi)rince and nation ? Or how can
I preach a^-ainst the sins of the times, — while the sword ol" the
inngistrate is continually at my throat ? —5. This con^nement
is not simply or mainly of my person — but it is of the oftlce
itself,— while it is not of me alone, but of all the presbyteriaii
ministers in Scotland, a very few only excepted ; and, while
the propaj^^ation of ihe gospel is hereby manifestly obstructed,
we aj-e cut oft' from the discliarge of many necessary duties
we owe to the church and nation,— while siie is in hazard to be
swallowed up vvith a swarm of Jesuits, quakers, &c and while
tiiree parts of the kingdom are groaning under the want of
the word faithfully preached, and some few shires in the west
are made, as it were, the common jail of all the ministers that
are permitted to pre^ich. By this confinement I lose an es-
sential part of my ministry, which is th.e exercise of jurisdic-
tion and church-government — a principal part of which is or-
dination, for preserving a succession of faithful men in the
church. —

V. As for the permis^Vion I have to preach uhen confined
—while I look on it abstracil^', it is a very great favour, but
take it without the previous call of the people, the authority
mid assi.'ance of a presbytery, — and without the exercise of
discipline ajui government— it is lame. Again, take it with
the Cwnfinemont, and other clogs and caveats contained in the
2d act, &c. — I have it to consider, whether this my permis-
sion be not putting my neck under a heavier yoke, than — be-
foi'e

yi. The last reason, for brevity, is from the dependence
this act --of indulgence hath upon" the late explanatory act of

his majesty's supremacy, when— the estates of parliament

declare, that Ins majesty hath the supreme authority and su-
premacy over- all persons, and in all causes ecclesiastic within'
this kingdom ;— diat, by virtue thereof, the ordering and
disposal ot the external government of the church doth pro-
perly belong to his m.ijesty and his successors, as an inherent
right of the crowi> j and that his majesty and successors may
settle — such^ constitutions, &c. concerning the external o-o-
vernment of the church, and the persons employed in it, and
concerning all ecclesiastical meetings and matters, — as thejs
in their royal wisdom, shall think fit- Again,— tlie particulars
ot the act of indulgence ar; of the same nature and kind with
t!:e articles ex})lanatory of his majesty s supremacy, viz. to set-
tle, enact, emit, nets and orders, concerning matters, meetings
find persons ecclesiastic, according to their royal pleasure.-^
The rules and instructions for limiting ministers in the exe; else
of then- office,— are as I declare I cannot accept of them, or

282 THE HISTORY OF THE CHAP. IX.

any other fiivour wliatcver, upon such terms and condi-
tions ; because they contain the downright exercise of eras-
tianism.' —

He concludes with an earnest desn-e that God would put
it in the king's heart to grant ministe